STORY By LEAH AKINYI
Artificial Intelligence (AI) is transforming every aspect of modern life, including education. University students today have access to AI-driven tools that make learning more efficient, but they also face new challenges, such as job uncertainty and ethical concerns. So, is AI a blessing or a curse to students?
Artificial Intelligence has both positive and negative effects on various industries calling on stakeholders to use it responsibly to avoid job losses.
AI-powered platforms like ChatGPT, Grammarly, and research assistants help students refine their writing, generate ideas, and even summarize complex topics .Data analysis software speeds up complex research and math solving. AI has proven very beneficial to students struggling with mathematics and arithmetics.
AI makes it easier for students to access learning sources and study materials easily and efficiently making education more tailored and effective.
Furthermore, it accelerates research by analyzing vast amounts of data quickly, assisting students in everything from scientific research to business case studies. AI tools can generate insights, detect patterns, and even assist in coding and design projects, reducing the time students spend on manual tasks.
It is also easier for a student to do assignments on time since they won't bother researching on other complicated sources since it gives instant and efficient answers thus creating shortcuts. Who does not like shortcuts?
In addition to that, AI gives career opportunities and skill development as it drives demand for new skills in fields like machine learning, data science, and automation. Students who embrace AI-related skills gain a competitive edge in the job market. Many universities are introducing AI courses to help students prepare for the future workforce.
AI offers numerous benefits to students but on the other hand, it has negative impacts as well. Students fear job displacement and uncertain career paths since as AI creates new opportunities, it is also automating many jobs, making some career paths uncertain. Fields like accounting, journalism, and even law are seeing AI-driven automation, forcing students to rethink their career choices and develop skills that AI cannot easily replace.
Moreover, as AI-generated content is making it easier for students to complete assignments, it also raises concerns about plagiarism and originality. It deeply affects academic integrity and ethical Issues as many universities are now implementing AI-detection tools to prevent misuse, but the debate over ethical AI use in education continues. In most of the cases , students are caught in exam malpractices, carrying their phones to exam rooms so as to copy and pass the tests.
AI leads to reduced critical thinking and over-reliance on AI. With AI providing instant answers, students may rely too much on technology instead of developing their own problem-solving skills. The risk of reduced creativity and critical thinking is a growing concern among educators affecting practicality of a student on ground once they have graduated with higher grades due to the aid of AI.
How do we balance benefits and challenges of AI adoption?
AI can neither purely be a blessing nor entirely a threat. However it depends on how students use it. To benefit from AI while avoiding its downsides, university students must:
-Use AI as a tool for learning, not a shortcut.
-Develop critical thinking and problem-solving skills that AI cannot replace.
-Stay updated on AI trends to remain competitive in the job market.
-Follow ethical guidelines when using AI in academic work.
AI is here to stay. Whether it becomes a blessing or a curse to university students it will entirely depend on how they adapt to this technological revolution maintaining balance on their integrity and ethical standards.
The Feature Story Writer is a Communication Studies Degree Student at Chuka University
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