Students Weigh Benefits and Risks of GenAI in Higher Ed

Psychology students from UK universities share views on using AI tools for studying and assessments.

Mar. 16, 2026 at 11:35am

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A new qualitative study examined the perspectives of postgraduate and undergraduate psychology students from two UK universities on their use of Generative Artificial Intelligence (GenAI) tools during their studies. While students recognized the value of GenAI for summarizing content, clarifying complex ideas, and easing the writing process, they also expressed concerns about plagiarism, reduced critical thinking, and unclear boundaries of ethical use. Many felt anxious about academic integrity due to inconsistent guidance, and some viewed AI use as ethically problematic, particularly in group work.

Why it matters

The findings underscore the urgent need for higher education institutions to develop clearer policies and provide targeted training to promote the ethical and effective use of GenAI tools in academic contexts, as students navigate the evolving landscape of AI-assisted learning.

The details

The study, published in the journal Education and Information Technologies, involved six focus groups with a total of 28 psychology students. Participants reported using GenAI tools to summarize content, clarify complex ideas, and ease the writing process. While recognizing the value of these tools, especially for accessibility and time management, students also expressed concerns about plagiarism, reduced critical thinking, and unclear boundaries of ethical use. Many felt anxious about academic integrity due to inconsistent guidance from their institutions. Some students viewed AI use as ethically problematic, particularly in group work settings.

  • The study was published on March 16, 2026.

The players

Elida Cena

One of the authors of the study, which examined the views of psychology students on the use of Generative Artificial Intelligence (GenAI) tools in higher education.

Education and Information Technologies

The academic journal that published the study on students' perspectives on GenAI in higher education.

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What they’re saying

“The findings underscore the urgent need for clearer institutional policies and targeted training to promote ethical, effective engagement with GenAI in academic contexts.”

— Elida Cena, Study Author (Education and Information Technologies)

What’s next

The study's authors suggest that higher education institutions should develop clearer policies and provide targeted training to help students navigate the ethical and effective use of GenAI tools in their academic work.

The takeaway

As Generative AI technologies become more advanced and integrated into higher education, universities must proactively address student concerns about plagiarism, critical thinking, and academic integrity. Providing clear guidance and support will be crucial to ensuring students can harness the benefits of these tools while upholding academic standards.