Usage, Benefits and Challenges of Generative Artificial Intelligence in Mathematics: The Student Perspective

Abstract

The rapid influx of generative artificial intelligence (GenAI) into higher education has resulted in a large number of research studies over the past three years. Much of the research to date has focused on the researcher/educator perspective of the optimal usage, benefits and challenges in the implementation of GenAI, often in a very general sense. The importance of the student voice and discipline-specific results must not be lost in this debate. This study investigates students’ decisions to use (or not use) GenAI for mathematics purposes and the reasons they give to support this choice. This was done by surveying almost 700 students in an Irish university, using an online, anonymous survey in March 2025. The students in the sample were all studying at least one mathematics module at the time. In addition, students were asked what they perceive the benefits and challenges to be of GenAI for mathematics in higher education. 91% of respondents were using GenAI for mathematics purposes. Both their reasons for using GenAI and the benefits they perceived for it fell into four main themes: Self-Improvement, Tools, Access, and Support. Their reasons for not using GenAI, and the challenges they perceived, were categorised under Unnecessary/Unknown, Inaccurate, Skill Loss, and Ethical Concerns. Students mentioned using GenAI for self-improvement reasons, such as bettering their understanding of mathematics, and found the lack of interaction with a person to be a benefit rather than a challenge. This study was conducted at a unique moment in time when the usage of GenAI was moving from sporadic to widespread and reflects students’ self-reported reasons for this.