Artificial intelligence in studies: opportunities and risks for students!

Artificial intelligence in studies: opportunities and risks for students!

Konstanz, Deutschland - A current study by AG University Research (AGH) of the University of Konstanz illuminates the use of artificial intelligence (KI) in everyday life) Students at German universities. The study, which was carried out at the end of 2024, comprises more than 2,000 surveys and shows that the majority of students consider AI tools to be useful, but critically questioned their use.

It is particularly noticeable that almost 90 % of the students have already worked with chatt or do so regularly. In comparison, only 20 % of the respondents use alternative AI tools. Students from the fields of computer science, economics and engineering science are most frequently concerned with AI, while courses such as medicine, art sciences and law can be observed. The advantages of AI in the course are Manifold: it enables faster processing of tasks, facilitating difficult topics and promotes knowledge acquisition.

critical perspectives on AI in the studies

Nevertheless, there are also concerns about the susceptibility to errors of AI tools as well as the risk of false statements and fraud options. Almost half of the respondents see the risk of their ability to write their own texts by using AI tools. In addition, many students do not feel sufficiently supported by their universities with regard to the effective handling of AI.

Although numerous universities have already published guidelines for the use of AI, there is a lack of active training offers. The approval of the use of AI varies greatly: While support is positively perceived for students, students are rather skeptical of support for university staff. In addition, a majority would like a hybrid study environment that combine digital teaching and presence lessons.

Austrian perspectives and the role of the KI

parallel to these developments in Germany, the use of AI in universities is also intensively discussed in Austria. A study entitled "From AI Learn with AI, with AI: The Future of University Formation" was commissioned by the Federal Ministry of Education, Science and Research . This study shows that AI is seen as an essential "gamuchanger" for university formation. It is intended to help improve individual teaching and learning results and to increase the quality of university education.

From September 2023 to September 2024, around 5,000 students and teachers were interviewed and interviews were conducted with university management. The results show that there is a high willingness to innovate with university lecturers and that AI chatbots are perceived as positive for the learning results. The biggest challenges are in dealing with AI during exams and the need for a nationwide AI strategy.

The social implications of Ki

A comprehensive analysis of the effects of AI on learning, teaching and education is also discussed in JRC Science Policy Report of the EU. The report emphasizes the mixed reactions that cause AI technologies and the increasing need for orientation knowledge for various stakeholders. Especially in the field of education, the challenges are great, such as an increase in the abortion rates in MINT subjects and the growing diversity of the learners, which requires differentiated approaches.

The need for empirical studies on the long-term learning effectiveness of AI applications is still high. While AI has the potential to reduce costs and create personalized learning offers, there are well -founded concerns about data protection, ethical questions, and the risk of excessive focus on technology -based teaching formats that could reduce social interactions.

Overall, it becomes clear that AI brings with it both opportunities and challenges in university formation. It remains to be seen how universities react and which measures are taken to integrate AI into teaching and learning processes.