College Students Navigate Mixed Signals on AI, Embracing Cautious Curiosity

As generative AI tools gain traction, university students are caught between strict academic guidelines and the necessity to engage with innovative technologies. Rebeca Damico, a 21-year-old public relations student at the University of Utah, recalls a tumultuous transition following ChatGPT’s release in 2022. Initially, professors imposed bans on using such tools, labeling them as potential sources of plagiarism.

Feeling the pressure, Damico stated, “I was scared. I thought, oh, I can’t even think about using it, because they’ll know.” Her experience reflects a widespread concern among students. Many view AI as both a revolutionary asset and a looming threat to the integrity of academic writing, particularly in fields reliant on strong communication skills.

The use of AI in academia presents a complex dilemma. While Damico witnessed classmates leveraging AI for quick essay completion, she worries about the implications: “If we do it once, it’s kind of like a slippery slope.” Amid these challenges, students also face conflicting messages from their universities. On one hand, professors warn against AI, while employers increasingly demand proficiency in it.

This duality mirrors broader industry trends. The World Economic Forum’s 2024 Work Trend Index reports that 75% of the workforce now uses AI. In California, a recent initiative aims to incorporate AI education into public colleges, highlighting the growing need for students to adapt to these advancements.

Higher education institutions, including the University of Utah, are struggling to formulate coherent policies on AI. The university’s new guidelines classify uncredited AI use as cheating and advise professors to incorporate detection tools to uphold academic integrity. However, some educators are adopting a more nuanced stance. “Some professors continue with strict bans, while others invite discussion around AI,” Damico explained.

This divide among academic institutions extends to policies elsewhere. At Stanford University, the focus is on how students can responsibly interact with AI. Their guidelines allow for its use unless explicitly prohibited in coursework, recognizing the likelihood of students engaging with these technologies.

Virginia Byrne, an associate professor at Morgan State University, emphasizes the importance of understanding AI’s role in education. She encourages students to explore the strengths and weaknesses of popular AI tools as part of their coursework. “It’s essential to foster trust in AI while teaching its ethical use,” Byrne noted, an effort echoed by researchers collaborating on AI policy and applications.

Theresa Fesinstine, founder of peoplepower.ai, recently taught a college course on AI and business. She found that many students were unfamiliar with the technology, despite instructors warning them against its use. “Most haven’t been trained on how to utilize AI effectively,” she remarked, suggesting that misconceptions often lead to fears grounded in misunderstanding.

Shriya Boppana, an MBA student at Duke University, actively integrates AI into her workflow. Initially uninterested in the technology, a project with Google shifted her perspective. “Understanding how AI is still evolving made me curious about its future,” Boppana said. She uses AI tools for daily tasks, reinforcing their utility but acknowledges limitations in personal expression.

Conversely, Parris Haynes, studying philosophy at Morgan State, approaches AI with caution. While he employs it for organizational purposes, he hesitates to use AI in his academic specialty. “It’s robbing me of the joy of philosophy,” he explained, highlighting a concern shared by many students about maintaining authenticity in their work.

The pervasive anxiety surrounding AI’s influence on future job prospects is palpable. As Fesinstine put it, students embody a “cautiously curious” attitude, balancing ethical considerations with the necessity of adapting to technological advancements. Two years after ChatGPT’s introduction, Damico sees the benefits of AI in professional contexts, particularly in public relations, where it can streamline tasks and enhance creativity. “It gives you kind of this edge,” she concluded.

In an era heavily impacted by generative AI, students like Boppana embrace the opportunities for growth. “There’s so much beauty in the way that AI helps human beings,” she reflected, urging her peers to find their individual paths within this evolving landscape.