Rapidly changing attitudes of university students on the use of generative artificial intelligence

Generative AI tools such as ChatGPT are increasingly impacting the academic landscape, provoking discussions about their potential role in student learning. A clearer understanding of the extent to which students are adopting generative AI is critical to enable educators and universities to properly adapt to advances in AI technology. This longitudinal study examines the attitudes and usage patterns of first-year undergraduate students towards generative AI and whether these have evolved over a 12-month period. The results indicate a substantial increase in student engagement with generative AI, highlighting a growing familiarisation and confidence in using these tools. Moreover, there is a significant increase in students willing to incorporate generative AI into their studies, suggesting a notable shift towards students recognising the benefits of AI. The rapid evolution of student adoption of generative AI underscores the importance of higher education institutions adapting to and supporting student engagement with generative AI, emphasising the need for flexible institutional policies, targeted technology support frameworks and innovative curriculum designs to align with the evolving competencies and acceptance of AI among students.