Student Perception of AI Use in Education: Implications for Educational Gain Frameworks and Employability

Globally, artificial intelligence chatbots have found valuable applications in multiple sectors, including education, where they provide a personalised learning approach to students. However, there are different perceptions about its use in education, as well as the benefits and potential challenges from HE students’ standpoint. The current research seeks to investigate students’ perspectives on the benefits and challenges associated with the use of AI in education, based on student sample representatives from the United Kingdom and Nigeria. The study adopts a cross-sectional mixed method approach to collect data, using a random-stratified sampling approach. The findings indicate that 59.1 % of the respondents were conversant with the institutional policies on AI use in education, with more students showing greater awareness in the UK (80%) compared to Nigeria (17.2%). Thematic analysis of the data reveals that the benefits of AI-powered chatbots in education include: Time management and stress reduction, Clarity and guidance, Ease of learning and accessibility, Generation of ideas and organisation. Conversely, the following themes emanated from the challenges associated with the AI-powered chatbot: Accuracy and reliability, Lack of depth and specificity, impact on learning and engagement, and accessibility and connectivity. The study further highlights the importance of contextualising AI technologies to meet the diverse educational needs of learners and offers valuable recommendations for improvement of the chatbot technology to enhance its value in education. The findings have critical implications for the Educational Gain Framework and the employability of students globally. The study therefore recommends supporting AI-enhanced learning that prioritises academic integrity, enhances student engagement, and reflects the diverse contexts of global learners.