LEVERAGING ARTIFICIAL INTELLIGENCE FOR STUDENT SUCCESS : A STUDY ON HIGHER EDUCATION TRANSFORMATION IN ERODE DISTRICT, TAMIL NADU

Artificial Intelligence (AI) has emerged as a transformative force in higher education, influencing instructional delivery, research productivity, and institutional management systems. Despite growing adoption, there is limited localized evidence regarding how students meaningfully engage with AI tools and how such engagement contributes to academic development. This study investigates awareness levels, usage patterns, and perceived academic benefits of AI among students enrolled in higher education institutions in Erode district. A structured questionnaire was administered to 450 respondents selected through random sampling. Statistical analysis using frequency distribution, percentage analysis, and mean score ranking was conducted. The findings reveal that AI is primarily utilized for research assistance and academic writing, followed by examination preparation. Although students demonstrate favorable attitudes toward AI-enabled learning, its use remains largely situational rather than habitual. The study highlights the importance of structured institutional strategies, ethical safeguards, and inclusive access mechanisms to ensure responsible and effective AI integration.