Artificial Intelligence in Philippine Higher Education: Student Perceptions, Pedagogical Impacts and Ethical Considerations

Abstract

This study explores the perceptions of college students toward the integration of Artificial Intelligence (AI) in education, with a focus on its general use, role in learning processes and outputs, and associated ethical concerns such as transparency, fairness, privacy, and data security. A total of 293 students from the Nueva Ecija University of Science and Technology – Gabaldon Campus participated in the study, representing various programs including Agriculture, Education, Information Technology, and Hospitality Management. A validated researcher-made questionnaire was used, comprising 25 items distributed across five constructs. Data were analyzed using descriptive statistics, mean and standard deviation, to determine levels of agreement, while Principal Components Analysis (PCA) was employed to examine communalities and ensure construct validity. The findings revealed a general agreement among students regarding the positive role of AI in enhancing learning experiences, increasing assignment efficiency, and developing skills relevant to future careers. However, lower mean scores in areas such as reliance on AI for research and collaboration suggest a need for further support and training. Notably, students expressed high confidence in the ethical management of their data, with strong agreement on institutional safeguards and transparency in data usage. Communality values ranging from 0.459 to 0.889 indicated that most items were well-represented within their respective constructs. The results highlight both the benefits and challenges of AI integration in education. The study recommends that institutions enhance AI-related communication, training, and ethical safeguards to support students in maximizing the potential of AI tools in their academic and professional development.