Factors Predicting College Student AI Use for Academic Tasks

• In Event: AERA Roundtable Session Friday 11:45 am - Gold 4
  In Roundtable Session: AI-Enhanced Problem Solving and Instructional Design Frameworks

Abstract

This mixed-methods study investigated the factors influencing college students’ intentions to use AI for academic tasks. 112 students majoring in strategic communication from a Midwestern U.S. university participated in the research. The findings showed that the more students believed AI integration could enhance their learning and viewed AI as a crucial part of their future career, the more likely they were to use AI tools for academic purposes. Conversely, the higher their ethical concerns about AI, the less likely they were to use AI tools for academic tasks. Additionally, interviews with ten students revealed their perspectives on using AI tools, including emerging and diminishing professional traits, as well as positive impacts and concerns in the field of strategic communication.

Authors

• Moon-Heum Cho, Syracuse University

• EunHae Grace Park, Ball State University

• Seongmi Lim, Ball State University

• Hyeonho Henry Yu, Ball State University