Artificial Intelligence and Academic Research: Exploring Postgraduate Students’ Perceptions on the Opportunities, Challenges, and Ethical Concerns

Abstract

The main purpose of this study was to explore the role of Artificial Intelligence (AI) tools in academic writing, as AI technologies have become an integral part of improving the structural aspects of academic research. The study investigated postgraduate students' perceptions of the opportunities of applying AI tools in academic writing and the accompanying challenges, as well as the ethical concerns of using AI technologies. The study employed a quantitative research method, using a questionnaire as a data collection instrument, and involved descriptive analysis of the perceptions of 25 postgraduate students enrolled in the Master of Educational Leadership and Management degree at Somali National University in Mogadishu, Somalia. The findings of the study revealed students’ awareness of the value and utility of AI tools in academic writing, as they developed research concepts, synthesized literature, improved language structure, and maintained academic integrity through the application of plagiarism detection. On the other hand, the study found that using AI in academic writing is not without challenges, as it raises ethical concerns such as academic integrity, technological dependence that compromises the critical thinking process, reduces creativity, and diminishes the active effort of human intellect. In conclusion, the study recommended the critical role of higher education institutions in introducing and mainstreaming AI programs and courses with well-established technological infrastructure. The study also recommended enacting a robust AI regulatory framework and policy guideline, in addition to formulating strong guidance for research ethics and academic integrity, particularly for postgraduate students engaging with AI tools.