A digital tutor; artificial intelligence as an aid among undergraduate medical students

Abstract

Objective To evaluate student’s perceived effectiveness in the use of AI as digital tutors in supporting them for studies. Material and methods This cross-sectional analytical study was done at Al-Tibri Medical College, Isra University, Karachi, Pakistan. Using purposive sampling, 315 students consented to participate in the study. After ethical approval, a questionnaire was designed and pilot tested before being distributed to the students. There were total of six sections of the questionnaire. The quantitative data was tested using SPSS v23.0. Students responded to Likert scale which was subjected to ordinal and interval data analysis both for better presentation of results. Open ended questions which were subjected to thematic analysis using Braun and Clarke six-steps for thematic analysis. Results and Discussion The study found that undergraduate medical students widely use and positively perceive AI tools, particularly for understanding complex topics, exam preparation, and solving MCQs. ChatGPT was the most frequently used platform. Students appreciated AI for its efficiency and academic support, though some noted concerns about misinformation and over-dependence. Significant differences in perceptions were observed across years, with senior students reporting greater benefits. Overall, AI was seen as a valuable supplement to medical education. Conclusion Artificial Intelligence tools, were widely used and positively perceived by undergraduate medical students as effective aids in learning, though concerns about over-reliance and misinformation highlighted the need for guided integration into medical education. Bangladesh Journal of Medical Science Vol. 25 No. 04 October’26 Page: 1115-1123