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Implementing Artificial Intelligence in Higher Education: Pros and Cons from the Perspectives of Academics

Author

Listed:
  • Alina Iorga Pisica

    (Department of International Business and Economics, The Bucharest University of Economic Studies, 050711 Bucharest, Romania)

  • Tudor Edu

    (Department of Marketing Management, Romanian American University, 012101 Bucharest, Romania)

  • Rodica Milena Zaharia

    (Department of International Business and Economics, The Bucharest University of Economic Studies, 050711 Bucharest, Romania)

  • Razvan Zaharia

    (Department of Marketing, The Bucharest University of Economic Studies, 050711 Bucharest, Romania)

Abstract

This article investigates the perspectives of Romanian academics on implementing Artificial Intelligence (AI) in Higher Education (HE). The article analyzes the pros and cons of AI in HE, based on the views of eighteen academics from five Romanian universities. There is a large and heated debate about the proliferation of AI in many domains, with strong supporters and determined deniers. Studies that research the implications of AI enrich the evidence-based literature on the advantages, disadvantages, threats, or opportunities that AI creates for us, for businesses, or for societies. Though many aspects are still less well known, attitudes toward AI are still under construction. HE is a domain where the implications of AI create passionate discussions. HE is, eventually, the sector that shapes the masterminds of societies’ leaders. There is a quest to find the perspectives of those who will apply AI, who will work with or for AI, and those who are opposed to or in favor of implementing AI in HE. The conclusions revealed by this study are in line with similar studies that exist in the literature. The positive aspects of AI implementation in HE are related, in the view of academics, to gains in the learning–teaching process, improvements in students skills and competences, better inclusion, and greater efficiency in administrative costs. Similarly, the negative aspects revealed by the research are linked to psychosocial effects, data security, ethical aspects, and unemployment threats. However, there are some aspects (mostly negative) related to implementing AI in HE that are less exposed by the interviewed academics, which are mostly related to the costs and efforts of implementing AI in HE. The possible explanation of this situation is related to the lack of strategic vision on what, in fact, the implementation of AI in HE means, what this process involves, and the fact that digitalization in Romanian universities (as well as in the Romanian economy) is in its infancy. The contribution of the results of this research is mainly empirical and practical. These opinions should be used as resources for managers of HE institutions to develop better policies concerning the implementation of AI in HE and for strategic vision toward AI, with the ultimate purpose of achieving progress and prosperity for the entire society.

Suggested Citation

  • Alina Iorga Pisica & Tudor Edu & Rodica Milena Zaharia & Razvan Zaharia, 2023. "Implementing Artificial Intelligence in Higher Education: Pros and Cons from the Perspectives of Academics," Societies, MDPI, vol. 13(5), pages 1-13, May.
    • Handle: RePEc:gam:jsoctx:v:13:y:2023:i:5:p:118-:d:1139985
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    References listed on IDEAS

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    1. Kamer-Ainur Aivaz & Daniel Teodorescu, 2022. "The Impact of the Coronavirus Pandemic on Medical Education: A Case Study at a Public University in Romania," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 14(1), pages 1-16, January.
    2. Pucciarelli, Francesca & Kaplan, Andreas, 2016. "Competition and strategy in higher education: Managing complexity and uncertainty," Business Horizons, Elsevier, vol. 59(3), pages 311-320.
    3. Tudor Edu & Costel Negricea & Razvan Zaharia & Rodica Milena Zaharia, 2022. "Factors influencing student transition to online education in the COVID 19 pandemic lockdown: evidence from Romania," Economic Research-Ekonomska Istraživanja, Taylor & Francis Journals, vol. 35(1), pages 3291-3304, December.
    4. Andrew Cox, 2023. "How artificial intelligence might change academic library work: Applying the competencies literature and the theory of the professions," Journal of the Association for Information Science & Technology, Association for Information Science & Technology, vol. 74(3), pages 367-380, March.
    5. Kamer Ainur Aivaz & Daniel Teodorescu, 2022. "College Students’ Distractions from Learning Caused by Multitasking in Online vs. Face-to-Face Classes: A Case Study at a Public University in Romania," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 19(18), pages 1-16, September.
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    Cited by:

    1. Ines Djokic & Nikola Milicevic & Nenad Djokic & Borka Malcic & Branimir Kalas, 2024. "Students’ Perceptions of the Use of Artificial Intelligence in Educational Service," The AMFITEATRU ECONOMIC journal, Academy of Economic Studies - Bucharest, Romania, vol. 26(65), pages 294-294, February.
    2. Rodney Duffett & Rodica Milena Zaharia & Tudor Edu & Raluca Constantinescu & Costel Negricea, 2024. "Exploring the Antecedents of Artificial Intelligence Products’ Usage. The Case of Business Students," The AMFITEATRU ECONOMIC journal, Academy of Economic Studies - Bucharest, Romania, vol. 26(65), pages 106-106, February.
    3. Nicoleta Samarescu & Robert Bumbac & Alin Zamfiroiu & Maria-Cristina Iorgulescu, 2024. "Artificial Intelligence in Education: Next-Gen Teacher Perspectives," The AMFITEATRU ECONOMIC journal, Academy of Economic Studies - Bucharest, Romania, vol. 26(65), pages 145-145, February.
    4. Daniela Serban & Silvia Elena Cristache & Narcisa Georgeta Ciobotar & Laurentiu Gabriel Francu & Jiries Mansou, 2024. "Quantitative Evaluation of Willingness to Use Artificial Intelligence within Business and Economic Academic Environment," The AMFITEATRU ECONOMIC journal, Academy of Economic Studies - Bucharest, Romania, vol. 26(65), pages 259-259, February.
    5. Rodica Milena Zaharia & Tudor Edu & Razvan Zaharia, 2023. "Social and Technological Interactions in e-Societies," Societies, MDPI, vol. 13(11), pages 1-3, November.

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