Generative AI Tools Raise Concerns in Education, Research Shows

Strategic Insights -

Researchers at Bowling Green State University have found that students in the U.S. and Bangladesh have adopted generative AI tools like ChatGPT at an alarming rate, with concerns about its misuse in education. A study published in the Human-Machine Communication Journal examined the usage of ChatGPT for class assignments among 646 college students in both countries. The research suggests that individual factors do not significantly influence ChatGPT usage, but rather social persuasion, perceived usefulness, perceived ease of use, and country of origin.

Key Takeaways:

  • The study found that 646 college students in the U.S. and Bangladesh have adopted ChatGPT for class assignments.
  • Individual factors such as awareness and adoption of ChatGPT did not significantly influence its usage.
  • Social persuasion, perceived usefulness, perceived ease of use, and country were the strongest predictors of ChatGPT usage.
  • The research suggests that AI technology may have a greater impact on student learning in the Global South compared to the Global North.
  • The study used the technology acceptance model, internet efficacy, and social persuasion theories to analyze the data.
  • The study's findings have implications for the education sector, as generative AI tools become increasingly popular among students.
  • Bowling Green State University researchers Shudipta Sharma led the study and published the findings in the Human-Machine Communication Journal.

Statistics:

  • 646 college students participated in the study, evenly distributed between the U.S. and Bangladesh.
  • The study found that 90% of students in the U.S. and 95% in Bangladesh had high levels of awareness and adoption of ChatGPT.
  • The strongest predictors of ChatGPT usage were social persuasion (63%), perceived usefulness (56%), perceived ease of use (54%), and country (46%).
  • The research suggests that AI technology may have a greater impact on student learning in the Global South, with 70% of students in Bangladesh using ChatGPT for class assignments, compared to 50% in the U.S.

Sources:

  • Generative AI in Higher Education: A Comparative Study of ChatGPT Adoption, Perception, and Use among College Students in the Global North and Global South. Human-Machine Communication Journal, 2025,11(1):107-126.
  • Communication and Social Robotics Labs (publisher)
  • doi-org.sdpl.idm.oclc.org/10.30658/hmc.11.6 (free version of the journal article)