By
Khadijah Balogun, Maryam Jimoh
For Haleemah Rufai, a year one Medical Laboratory Science student, Artificial Intelligence (AI) is a lifesaver. Her studies sometimes include tackling complex equations or algorithms that could take hours to decipher. Such tasks are seamlessly tackled in seconds by Artificial Intelligence (AI). But there is a caveat, Artificial Intelligence cannot be trusted blindly all the time. Rufai recalled Artificial Intelligence returning a completely false response once, when she used it to find a formula for a project.
Haleemah Rufai
Zainab Abdul Azeez, a year 4 sociology student, describe how AI has become an indispensable tool in her academic journey. When faced with the daunting task of writing essays, AI proves to be a reliable companion, generating outlines and organizing her thoughts with ease.
Abdul Azeez knows that relying solely on AI can lead to shallow work. To add depth and substance, she always supplements AI’s assistance with traditional research methods, pouring over books and engaging in discussions. While AI provides a valuable starting point, Abdul Azeez recognizes that the final product is her responsibility, requiring her own critical thinking and analysis to produce high-quality work.
Zainab Abdul Azeez
As technology advances at an unprecedented rate, AI is fast becoming a transformative force in education. From personalized learning experiences to AI-powered tutors, recent research has highlights how this technology is reshaping classrooms worldwide.
For students, the integration of AI in education offers exciting opportunities for personalized learning, greater accessibility, and enhanced engagement. AI is a valuable tool for academic and research assistance. It can quickly provide relevant information, sources, and data, saving you time and effort, and can assist with writing tasks, such as suggesting alternative phrases, correcting grammar and spelling errors, and even generating content.
Tira Fitra, an academic researcher, explained that AI is believed to be able to help humans learn better and achieve educational goals more effectively. She noted that many AI-based innovations and breakthroughs are being and will be applied to support the learning process to make it more practical and effective.
Tira stress the need for educators to rise to the challenge posed by Artificial Intelligence (AI). “When AI is present in the education sector, which then raises concerns by educators, it is a challenge that must be faced so that the existence of education continues. The idea that AI will replace teachers is disputed, as many believe that human educators and AI systems can work together to create a more effective learning environment”.
Dr. Mutiat Ogunrinde, the Head of Department, Mathematical and Computer Sciences and a Senior Career Researcher at Fountain University, views AI as a complementary tool rather than a replacement for human effort. “AI is here to complement our work, not replace it,” she says. “Students should use AI as a guide and always verify its outputs. Citations generated by AI are sometimes correct and accurate, but students must double-check references to avoid academic errors.”
Dr. Mutiat Ogunrinde
“As students increasingly adopt AI tools to streamline their research, tackle complex problems, and simplify their academic routines, they emphasize that these tools are meant to augment, not replace, their own efforts and intellectual capabilities, highlighting the importance of striking a balance between technological convenience and academic rigor”, Rufai added.
No doubt, AI adoption is high among students globally. According to Shalwa, 2024, notably, 89% of students admit to using ChatGPT for homework, and approximately 97% of students in higher education institutions use AI-powered tools to enhance their learning. Artificial Intelligence (AI) has become an integral part of modern education, influencing how students learn and how educators teach. While AI tools like ChatGPT, Grammarly, and others have introduced immense possibilities for academic and research tasks, the debate over its proper use is growing.
However, students and educators alike recognize its potential but emphasize the need for a balanced, responsible approach. AI offers educators innovative ways to enhance research, teaching, and learning experiences. It also raises critical concerns about academic integrity, originality, and the erosion of critical thinking skills.
Studies suggest that AI-based personalized learning tools can improve student engagement and learning outcomes. In a study conducted by McKinsey, students using AI-powered platforms showed an improvement in academic performance compared to traditional methods. The adaptive nature of AI allows for a more dynamic educational experience that adjusts in real-time to a student’s strengths and weaknesses.
Mr. Abass Okandeji, a lecturer in the department of Mass Communication, expresses concern about the ethical implications of AI in academia. “The biggest issue is plagiarism”, he says. “AI tools often replicate existing data, and students copy and paste without proper citation. This compromises originality and academic integrity. Another alarming problem is fabricated citations. Artificial Intelligence sometimes generates fake journal articles or Digital Object Identifiers DOIs, which can mislead students. We need to teach them how to verify AI-generated content and use it ethically”, he said
Mr. Abass Okandeji, a lecturer in the department of Mass Communication
Dr. Ridwan Kolawole, a lecturer at University of Ibadan likened Artificial Intelligence (AI) to a double-edged sword. “AI is like having a second brain, it can provide support, but it can’t replace your own thinking. The problem is that students are now relying solely on AI, ignoring other sources of information. This is dangerous for academia. AI-generated citations are often fake, and if you don’t read widely, you won’t even notice these errors”.
“In disciplines like law, where context is key, students are finding AI to be a mixed blessing. Aishat Lawal, a year 4 Law student disclosed using AI for legal research. “It is great for quickly finding case precedents or statutes. But it does not always grasp the context of local legal systems. For instance, it might suggest U.S. case laws when a law student is researching Nigerian law. It is a useful guide, but students must always cross-check with real legal texts. You cannot rely on AI alone if you want accurate results”, she noted.
While students are amazed at the convenience AI brings, educators are also adapting to this new reality. For many lecturers, AI has become a valuable tool both for teaching and research, but also a source of concern.
Shalwa further noted that 38% of educators use AI to create teaching plans and summarize information. An increasing number of teachers are employing AI to compose lesson plans and condense content, streamlining their workflow and saving time.
“AI has made my work as a researcher much easier,” said Mr. Azeez Akeem, a Mass Communication lecturer and researcher. “It helps generate research topics, refine grammar, and even design study outlines. But I worry about students becoming too dependent on it. Many no longer want to think critically or put in the effort to learn. Over-reliance on AI is making them lazy, and that’s a dangerous way of learning.”
Mr. Azeez Akeem Ademola, Mass Comm lecturer, FUO
Dr. Kolawole notes that many AI tools fabricate citations, and students who do not read widely cannot identify these errors. AI is a tool, not a shortcut to success. The importance of maintaining originality: students must combine AI-generated insights with non-AI materials and dedicate time to reading and discussing their findings.
This cautious approach reflects a sentiment shared by many students: AI is a helpful assistant but not a replacement for their efforts.
For Maryam Tijani, a year 4 Nursing student, precision is critical, making AI both a tool and a risk. “Nursing is a field where there is no room for error,” she emphasized. “I use AI to simplify certain concepts or gather initial ideas, but I always validate the information with textbooks and peer-reviewed journals. AI might provide answers quickly, but it does not understand my course material or my professors’ expectations. It can guide you, but it cannot replace the hours of studying needed to master the subject”.
Tijani further added that by leveraging AI-powered tools, nursing students can develop critical thinking skills, practice clinical decision-making, and gain hands-on experience in a safe and controlled environment. AI can also assist with research, organization, and time management, helping students stay current with the latest research and best practices, while also keeping track of assignments, deadlines, and clinical rotations. Overall, AI has the potential to revolutionize nursing education, helping students develop the knowledge, skills, and competencies needed to provide high-quality patient care.
Speaking on the issue, a digital strategist, Mr Adeoye Oyekola explained that AI would not replace humans but would transform the way we approach work and reshape our perspectives. Al can automate repetitive tasks and enhance efficiency, but it still heavily relies on human interaction for input, direction, and interpretation. Al serves as a tool that amplifies human capabilities rather than a replacement for them.
Dr. Ogunrinde further emphasizes the importance of active engagement in learning. “When students rely too much on Artificial Intelligence, they miss out on understanding the material. I encourage my students to visit libraries, read extensively, and develop critical thinking skills. It’s not just about passing exams but retaining knowledge for the future”.
Mr Azeez emphasized the importance of balance: “Artificial Intelligence should be used to enhance learning, not replace it. I always tell my students that they should use AI to fine-tune their work, not to do it for them. When students rely entirely on AI, they lose the ability to think independently, and that’s a downfall”.
In the fast-evolving world of computer science, AI has been transformative. Farhan Adedeji, a 200-level computer science student, at Fountain University, having Artificial Intelligence feels like having a coding mentor at her fingertips. Using AI tools like ChatGPT helps her with coding and debugging. It is incredibly useful to her when she is stuck on an assignment. But sometimes, the solutions are too broad for her.
“You need a deep understanding of programming to customize AI’s output to suit your needs. Without that foundation, you’ll struggle to produce quality work”, she added.
According to Forbes.com, 82% of college professors are aware of ChatGPT, 72% of college professors who are aware of ChatGPT are concerned about its impact on cheating. Over a third (34%) of all educators believe that ChatGPT should be banned in schools and universities, while 66% support students having access to it. Meanwhile, 5% of educators say that they have used ChatGPT to teach a class, and 7% have used the platform to create writing prompts.
Dr Kolawole encouraged students to adopt a balanced approach, “students should use AI as one of many tools. Books, journals, and group discussions are still irreplaceable. Critical thinking and extensive reading are what differentiate a good student from one who just scrapes by. AI can assist you, but it’s not a shortcut to academic success.”
However, he furthered noted that many AI tools fabricate citations, and students who do not read widely cannot identify these errors. AI is a tool, not a shortcut to success. The importance of maintaining originality: Students must combine AI-generated insights with non-AI materials and dedicate time to reading and discussing their findings
