Enhancing the skills of Students Through AI: A Case Study of Gomal University, D I Khan

Abstract

The present study analyzes the integration of Artificial Intelligence tools on student skills in the peripheral context of Gomal University, Dera Ismail Khan (D.I. Khan), Pakistan. Research targets the examination of the level of AI tool adoption by a population of students and measuring its impact on their research, writing, critical thinking, and technical skills in different disciplines of learning. Quantitative cross-sectional approach with stratified random sampling was applied on 559 research participants (378 undergraduate and postgraduate students and the faculty members, n = 181) from the three faculties of Social Sciences, Natural Sciences, and Computing & Technology. Data collection was done through the use of structured questionnaires on a five- point scale of Likert. Data analysis was done by use of IBM SPSS (Version 29.0) after computing means, standard deviations, and frequencies in addition to independent sample t - tests and one- way ANOVA. Findings of the study showed high AI tool adoption by students (84.1%). Several positive impacts of AI tool integration on students' efficiency in conducting academic research (M = 4.18) and writing (M = 4.05) were reported, whereas self-reports for critical thinking (M = 3.42) and independent thinking (M = 3.42) were somewhat low. Significant differences were noted across the faculties. Technical skills improvement (M = 4.22) was reported for computing students. A strong perception gap was noted between students (M = 3.92) and faculty members (M = 3.15). The latter were focused on the threats of AI on academic integrity and student learning.

Keywords: Artificial Intelligence (AI), student skills, higher education, Gomal University, D.I. Khan, generative AI, academic integrity, educational technology.

https://doi.org/10.5281/zenodo.22170230