Undergraduate Nursing Students' Perspectives on Artificial Intelligence in Academia

Area of Science:

• Nursing Education
• Artificial Intelligence in Healthcare
• Educational Technology

Background:

• Artificial Intelligence (AI) tools, including large language models (LLMs) like ChatGPT, are increasingly used in education.
• Understanding student perspectives on AI is vital for effective integration into academic settings.

Purpose of the Study:

• To investigate undergraduate nursing students' perspectives on AI-enabled tools, specifically ChatGPT.
• To identify perceived benefits, challenges, and implications for ethical AI use in nursing education.

Main Methods:

• Interpretive description methodology was employed.
• Focus group interviews were conducted with sixteen undergraduate nursing students.

Main Results:

• Four themes emerged: AI as a support tool, potential loss of foundational skills, risks to credibility and academic integrity, and the need for more education.
• Evidence-based practice, ethical considerations, and critical thinking skills significantly influence student views on AI.

Conclusions:

• Robust institutional policies and training are necessary for the safe and ethical use of AI in academia.
• Open dialogue and education are essential to help students navigate AI's benefits and risks.
• Further research is needed on AI perspectives across different academic levels and the development of risk-mitigation interventions.