Challenges Faced by Students When Using AI Tools

Artificial Intelligence (AI) is changing education for the better and providing students with tools that can make them more effective learners, researchers, and writers. With all the good that AI does, there are still challenges that students have when using AI tools; these challenges are many things, including academic integrity and data privacy (that need to be addressed) to allow meaningful and ethical learning experiences.

Over-Reliance on AI Tools

Reduction in Critical Thinking Skills and Creativity

A major concern is that students become reliant on AI tools across their academics. Marzuki et al. (2023) stated that students who use AI or AI generated content are more likely to lose their critical thought processes and originality in writing. The practice of automating cognitive work means that students will not engage with a piece of material as deeply - which is instrumental in developing comprehension.

Loss of Intellectual Autonomy

Ismail (2024) also adds, "this reliance results in the loss of intellectual autonomy," where students do not employ the cognitive labour to engage in the relevant parts of their coursework. This lack of thinking only leads to a shallow perception of knowledge worth of independent learning.

Threats to Academic Integrity

Questionable Authenticity of Work

AI tools capable of creating essays and reports raise real issues related to academic integrity. In a study by Ju (2023), he found that students who submitted AI generated passages showed a decline of 25.1% in academic performance. This and similar work demonstrate that the submissions may be clean and polished, however, they are often devoid of actual understanding and meaning.

Misuse in Assignments and Exams

Some students may misuse AI tools to accomplish their assigned homework or even to cheat on exams. These practices "devalue the evaluation process, and may, as a result, devalue an institution's educational credentials" allowing long term academic and ethical issues arise.

Risk of Misinformation

"Hallucinations" Given by AI

AI tools (including ChatGPT) can produce hallucinations—answers which seem accurate, but are factually incorrect. Dr. Calonge reminds us that students may take false responses as factual without confirmation, spreading misinformation and erroneous knowledge. This shows the need for critical thinking and verification skills in an AI-mediated world of learning.

Accessibility and Digital Divide

Financial Barriers

While there is access to AI tools, students cannot afford the premium versions that have the most complex features. A study conducted in Faisalabad, Pakistan, and printed in the Remittances Review (2024) claims, "many students face challenges due to the costs connected to engaging with these tools." This economic barrier reduces their usability and furthers the distance between privileged and under-privileged learners.

Technical Limitations

Aside from financial constraints, students often have to contend with technical limitations, from slow Internet connections, outdated devices and limited digital literacy. These limitations "further restrict their ability to leverage the full capacities of AI technologies in their studies" which can create a disadvantage in tech-rich academic situations.

Privacy and Ethical Issues

Data Security Threats

AI tools require users to share personal identifiers and, thus, related privacy issues arise. According to Owoc et al. (2021), "Many educational AI systems do not have transparency about how they handle data." Due to the lack of regulation of any kind, students risk that their sensitive data are hacked, misused, or even erased—activities that could result in identity issues and breaches of confidentiality.

Impact on Human Interaction

Reduced Social Engagement

Another significant challenge is the reduced human interaction caused by AI usage. Guilherme (2019) pointed out that "AI tools, while efficient, cannot replace the empathetic connection and real-time feedback that teachers provide." This shift can lead to decreased student engagement and a weakened student-teacher relationship, ultimately affecting learning outcomes.

Final thoughts

Although AI tools present great potential for the advancement of education, they do pose some dilemmas that cannot be ignored. Students encounter numerous challenges in adopting AI into their learning including misinformation and over-reliance, privacy and accessibility issues. Educators, institutions and policymakers need to develop guidelines around the ethical, balanced and inclusive use of AI in education; so that it can foster a powerful ally and not a troublesome crutch in academia.