Education in AI ERA: The extent of higher education students' use of ChatGPT in Oman

Abstract

This study examined ChatGPT usage among students in the Sultanate of Oman, their views, purposes, and perceived advantages and disadvantages. The study applied a survey to undergraduate students at Oman College of Management and Technology (OCMT) during the summer semester 2023-2024. 124 participants were selected through convenience sampling. The results showed that the most used AI application by students was ChatGPT at a rate of 65%, and the most common learning purpose for using ChatGPT was searching for information to understand curriculum topics, at a rate of 100%. Moreover, students consider ChatGPT as an intelligent virtual assistant to provide instant answers to questions, aid research, and assist with homework assignments with its vast knowledge and natural language processing capabilities. Further, results revealed that as students increasingly engage with ChatGPT, several concerns emerge regarding its potential unethical use, excessive dependency, and impact on writing and thinking capabilities. An overreliance on ChatGPT for academic tasks could impede critical thinking and creativity, as students may become overly dependent on AI for solutions. The insights gained from this study hold significant implications for the responsible and effective integration of ChatGPT in higher education environments, considering its perceived benefits and ethical concerns.

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