Awareness and attitudes toward artificial intelligence–based learning among higher education students
Jelly L. Paredes & Maria Aurora G. Victoriano
Abstract
This study explores the awareness and attitudes of college students in higher education institutions (HEIs) in the Province of Capiz, Philippines toward artificial intelligence (AI) for learning. Using a descriptive-correlational design, the study surveyed 379 students from public and private HEIs through validated and reliable researcher-made and adapted questionnaires. The results indicate a high level of student awareness of AI’s potential in personalized learning and virtual learning environments, accompanied by generally positive attitudes toward its use. However, significant differences in awareness and attitudes were observed when respondents were grouped according to sociodemographic factors such as parental occupation, educational attainment, and type of HEI. Gender and place of residence also significantly influenced awareness levels. The study highlights the need for inclusive educational strategies, including targeted training programs, improved technological access for rural communities, and initiatives that support female students. The findings underscore the importance of policies that address AI literacy gaps to ensure equitable access to and effective integration of AI in learning. These insights contribute to the ongoing discourse on optimizing AI adoption in education, fostering critical thinking, and preparing students for a technology-driven future.
Keywords
educational technology, digital literacy, intelligent systems, learning innovation, instructional support
Author information & Contribution
Jelly L. Paredes. Doctor of Education. Program Chair (BSCS Department), Capiz State University-Mambusao Satellite College
Maria Aurora G. Victoriano. Corresponding author. Doctor of Philosophy, Program Chair (BAEL Department), Capiz State University-Mambusao Satellite College. Email: victorianoauh@gmail.com
"All authors equally contributed to the conception, design, preparation, data gathering and analysis, and writing of the manuscript. All authors read and approved the final manuscript."
Disclosure statement
No potential conflict of interest was reported by the author(s).
Funding
This work was not supported by any funding.
Declaration
The author declares the use of Artificial Intelligence (AI) in writing this paper. In particular, the author used OpenAI, Elicit, and Quillbot in finding literature and other materials. The author takes full responsibility in ensuring that research idea, analysis and interpretations are original work.
Notes
This paper is presented in 2nd ICMEI 2025
Acknowledgement
References
Al Saad, M. A., Shehadeh, A., Alanazi, A., & Alenezi, M. (2022). Medical students’ knowledge and attitude towards artificial intelligence: An online survey. International Journal of Medical Education, 13(2), 30-35. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.ijmedu.2022.03.002
Alimi, A., Buraimoh, O., Aladesusi, G., & Babalola, E. (2021). University students’ awareness of, access to, and use of artificial intelligence for learning in Kwara State. Indonesian Journal of Teaching in Science, 1(2), 91–104. https://doi.org/10.17509/ijotis.v1i2.38014
Alkhateeb, A., Hezam, A. M. M., & Almuraikhi, A. A. (2025). Assessing the use of AI tools for EFL exam preparation at Saudi universities: Efficiency, benefits, and challenges. Cogent Education, 12(1). https://doi.org/10.1080/2331186X.2025.2507553
Ampong, K. (2023). Gender differences in perception of artificial intelligence-based tools. Journal of Digital Art & Humanities, 4(2), 6. https://doi.org/10.33847/2712-8149.4.2_6
Bauer, E., Greiff, S., Graesser, A. C., et al. (2025). Looking beyond the hype: Understanding the effects of AI on learning. Educational Psychology Review, 37, 45. https://doi.org/10.1007/s10648-025-10020-8
Cai, Z., Fan, X., & Du, J. (2017). Gender and attitudes toward technology use: A meta-analysis. Computers & Education, 105, 1–13. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.compedu.2016.11.003
Charles, R., & Charles, T. (2024). High school students’ perceptions of using AI for learning. Voice of the Publisher, 10, 284–297. https://doi.org/10.4236/vp.2024.103024
Co, S. J. (2025). Artificial intelligence in Philippine education: A narrative review of applications, perceptions, and challenges. International Research Journal of Science, Technology, Education, and Management, 5(2), 25–38. https://doi.org/10.5281/zenodo.15902950
Dergunova, Y., Aubakirova, R. Z., Yelmuratova, B. Z., Gulmira, T. M., Yuzikovna, P. N., & Antikeyeva, S. (2022). Artificial intelligence awareness levels of students. International Journal of Emerging Technologies in Learning (iJET), 17(18), 26–37. https://doi.org/10.3991/ijet.v17i18.32195
Ding, Z., & Xue, W. (2025). Navigating anxiety in digital learning: How AI-driven personalization and emotion recognition shape EFL students’ engagement. Acta Psychologica, 260, 105466. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.actpsy.2025.105466
Doumat, G., Daher, D., Ghanem, N., & Khater, B. (2022). Knowledge and attitudes of medical students in Lebanon toward artificial intelligence: A national survey study. Frontiers in Artificial Intelligence, 5, 35-42. https://doi.org/10.3389/frai.2022.845258
Du, X., Du, M., Zhou, Z., et al. (2025). Facilitator or hindrance? The impact of AI on university students’ higher-order thinking skills in complex problem solving. International Journal of Educational Technology in Higher Education, 22, 39. https://doi.org/10.1186/s41239-025-00534-0
Garzón, J., Patiño, E., & Marulanda, C. (2025). Systematic review of artificial intelligence in education: Trends, benefits, and challenges. Multimodal Technologies and Interaction, 9(8), 84. https://doi.org/10.3390/mti9080084
Gonsalves, C. (2024). Generative AI’s impact on critical thinking: Revisiting Bloom’s taxonomy. Journal of Marketing Education. https://doi.org/10.1177/02734753241305980
Hammer, M., Scheiter, K., & Stürmer, K. (2021). New technology, new role of parents: How parents’ beliefs and behavior affect students’ digital media self-efficacy. Computers in Human Behavior, 116, 106642. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.chb.2020.106642
Hornberger, M., Bewersdorff, A., & Nerdel, C. (2023). What do university students know about artificial intelligence? Development and validation of an AI literacy test. Computers and Education: Artificial Intelligence, 5, 100165. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.caeai.2023.100165
Lawasi, M. C., Rohman, V. A., & Shoreamanis, M. (2024). The use of AI in improving students’ critical thinking skills. Proceedings Series on Social Sciences & Humanities, 18, 366–370. https://conferenceproceedings.ump.ac.id/pssh/article/view/1279
Liu, W., & Wang, Y. (2024). The effects of using AI tools on critical thinking in English literature classes among EFL learners: An intervention study. European Journal of Education, 59(4), e12804. https://doi.org/10.1111/ejed.12804
Madlela, B. (2025). Artificial intelligence opportunities and threats in the teaching and learning of science in higher education institutions. International Journal of Educational Management and Development Studies, 6(3), 157–185. https://doi.org/10.53378/ijemds.353246
Malakul, S. (2025). Exploring factors influencing teachers’ acceptance of AI tools for creating animated educational videos with pedagogical agents. Journal of Computer Assisted Learning, 41(4), e70083. https://doi.org/10.1111/jcal.70083
Mariyono, D., & Nur Alif, H. D. A. (2025). AI’s role in transforming learning environments: A review of collaborative approaches and innovations. Quality Education for All, 2(1), 267–290. https://doi.org/10.1108/QEA-08-2024-0071
Mogaka, S. M., Anika, A. A., Moracha, E. N., Omwenga, M. K., & Joyceln, M. K. (2025). Parents’ perception on the impact of artificial intelligence on cognitive development among primary school children in Kisii County, Kenya. Magna Scientia Advanced Research and Reviews, 14(1), 33–38. https://doi.org/10.30574/msarr.2025.14.1.0073
Ng, S.-L., & Ho, C.-C. (2025). Generative AI in education: Mapping the research landscape through bibliometric analysis. Information, 16(8), 657. https://doi.org/10.3390/info16080657
Otermans, P. C. J., Roberts, C., & Baines, S. (2025). Unveiling AI perceptions: How student attitudes towards AI shape AI awareness, usage, and conceptions. International Journal of Technology in Education (IJTE), 8(1), 88–103. https://doi.org/10.46328/ijte.995
Promma, W., Imjai, N., Usman, B., & Aujirapongpan, S. (2025). The influence of AI literacy on complex problem-solving skills through systematic thinking skills and intuition thinking skills: An empirical study in Thai Gen Z accounting students. Computers and Education: Artificial Intelligence, 8, 100382. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.caeai.2025.100382
Rahiman, H. U., & Kodikal, R. (2024). Revolutionizing education: Artificial intelligence–empowered learning in higher education. Cogent Education, 11(1). https://doi.org/10.1080/2331186X.2023.2293431
Rasheed, T., Bashir, A., Hanif, S., & Gul, H. (2025). Leveraging AI to mitigate educational inequality: Personalized learning resources, accessibility, and student outcomes. The Critical Review of Social Sciences Studies, 3(1), 2399–2412. https://doi.org/10.59075/j4959m50
Robledo, D. A. R., Zara, C. G., Montalbo, S. M., Gayeta, N. E., Gonzales, A. L., Escarez, M. G. A., & Maalihan, E. D. (2023). Development and validation of a survey instrument on knowledge, attitude, and practices (KAP) regarding the educational use of ChatGPT among preservice teachers in the Philippines. International Journal of Information and Education Technology, 13(10), 1582–1590.
Sanusi, I. T., Olaleye, S. A., Agbo, F. J., & Chiu, T. K. F. (2022). The role of learners’ competencies in artificial intelligence education. Computers and Education: Artificial Intelligence, 3, 100098. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.caeai.2022.100098
Seo, K., Tang, J., Roll, I., et al. (2021). The impact of artificial intelligence on learner–instructor interaction in online learning. International Journal of Educational Technology in Higher Education, 18, 54. https://doi.org/10.1186/s41239-021-00292-9
Shah, S. O., & Hussain, M. (2021). Parental occupation and its effect on the academic performance of children. Journal of Emerging Technologies and Innovative Research, 8(8), e576.
Siddiqui, N., Dixon, P., & Gorard, S. (2023). Is parental awareness of children’s academic potential a good predictor of children’s learning outcomes in early years’ settings? Findings from two provinces in Pakistan and India. Social Sciences & Humanities Open, 8(1), 100651. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.ssaho.2023.100651
Smith, D. J. (1988). Reliability and maintainability in perspective. Macmillan Publishers Limited. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-1-349-10140-5
Sobiesuo, E. M., Edmond, A., Issaka, C. A., et al. (2025). Knowledge of AI use and prediction of AI adoption among selected residents in the greater Kumasi area of Ghana. Discovery Artificial Intelligence, 5, 303. https://doi.org/10.1007/s44163-025-00558-5
Stone, B. W. (2025). Generative AI in higher education: Uncertain students, ambiguous use cases, and mercenary perspectives. Teaching of Psychology, 52(3), 347–356. https://doi.org/10.1177/00986283241305398
Strielkowski, W., Grebennikova, V., Lisovskiy, A., Rakhimova, G., & Vasileva, T. (2025). AI-driven adaptive learning for sustainable educational transformation. Sustainable Development, 33(2), 1921–1947. https://doi.org/10.1002/sd.3221
Venkatesh, V., Thong, J. Y. L., & Xu, X. (2012). Consumer acceptance and use of information technology: Extending the unified theory of acceptance and use of technology. MIS Quarterly, 36(1), 157–178. https://doi.org/10.2307/41410412
Vieriu, A. M., & Petrea, G. (2025). The impact of artificial intelligence (AI) on students’ academic development. Education Sciences, 15(3), 343. https://doi.org/10.3390/educsci15030343
Wang, S. I.-C., & Liu, E. Z.-F. (2025). AI tools and POE model in educational technology learning: Exploring participant experiences using thematic analysis. Computers and Education: Artificial Intelligence, 9, 100488. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.caeai.2025.100488
Younas, M., Ali, S., Mahmood, T., Nasimi, R. A., Ashraf, M. K., & Akter, S. (2024). Students’ awareness and perception regarding the usage of AI in education at Government College University, Faisalabad. Journal of Social Sciences Advancement, 5(4), 81–85. https://doi.org/10.52223/JSSA24-050410-106
Zawacki-Richter, O., Marín, V. I., Bond, M., et al. (2019). Systematic review of research on artificial intelligence applications in higher education – Where are the educators? International Journal of Educational Technology in Higher Education, 16, 39. https://doi.org/10.1186/s41239-019-0171-0
Zhang, W., & Liu, X. (2025). Artificial intelligence-generated content empowers college students’ critical thinking skills: What, how, and why. Education Sciences, 15(8), 977. https://doi.org/10.3390/educsci15080977
Cite this article:
Paredes, J.L. & Victoriano, M.A.G. (2025). Awareness and attitudes toward artificial intelligence–based learning among higher education students. The Research Probe, 5(2), 1-23. https://doi.org/10.53378/trp.191
License:
![]()
This work is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution (CC BY 4.0) International License.
Related articles:
Most read articles
- Senior High School Strand Alignment and Its Implication to The Tertiary Programs: A Basis for Bridging Program
- Reading Comprehension Difficulties Among Junior High School Learners
- Difficulties in the writing skills of Grade 11 HUMSS students
- Identifying gender stereotypes of high school LGBTQ students
- Factors Influencing Reading Comprehension and Difficulties Among Intermediate Learners: Basis For Developing Remedial Reading Intervention
- Lived experiences of senior high school focal persons in the implementation of work immersion program
- Disaster risk reduction and management on earthquake preparedness: An assessment
- Digital Marketing Strategies Used by Competing Coffee Shops in Candelaria, Quezon: Perspective of Employees
- Analysis of school rules and regulation implementation: Basis for policy enhancement program
- Technical vocational students’ higher learning institution preference and level of academic and skills preparedness
