Corpus-Based Investigation of Chinese Higher Education Institutions' (HEIs) “Techno-Pessimism” Toward Generative Artificial Intelligence (Gen-AI)

• In Event: Navigating the AI Frontier: Institutional Challenges and Opportunities in Higher Education

Abstract

Concerns have been raised about Gen-AI’s potential negative impacts, including compromising the comprehension of class materials and damaging academic integrity, which has led to a wave of techno-pessimism. Few research studies have explored the underlying causes of negative attitudes towards new technologies in academia and HEIs. To fill this gap, this study analyzes news articles from websites and WeChat-Public-Accounts of top 100 Chinese universities to understand the negative attitudes and sentiments towards Gen-AI adoption in Chinese HEIs. By employing a multi-dimensional analytical framework, the study seeks to identify patterns and themes in the data, which is crucial for enhancing understanding of Gen-AI in education and informing the development of effective strategies for its employment and regulation in academic settings.

Author

• Zhangxu Kang, University of Michigan