A survey on students’ perceptions of GenAI in higher education

➢ The While Generative Artificial Intelligence (GenAI) tools are increasingly being used by students in higher education, we still lack insight into their views on its use and potential applications.➢ This study explores students’ perceptions of GenAI tools across five key dimensions: learning performance, motivation, effort expectancy, trustworthiness, and intention to use.➢ Data were collected through the spread of an online survey among 940 higher education students enrolled in life sciences courses at a Dutch university during the 2023-2024 academic year.➢ The results indicated that students generally found GenAI tools useful, easy to use, and moderately trustworthy.➢ They reported that GenAI tools help with task completion and improve learning performance.➢ Effort expectancy was high, with students finding the tools intuitive and easy to learn. However, motivation levels were moderate, and there was variability in intention to use. Some students expressed a strong desire to continue using GenAI tools, while others were uncertain or less inclined to engage with them in the future.➢ These findings suggest that while GenAI tools show promise in supporting students’ performance, there are challenges related to student motivation and long-term intention to use.➢ The study provides insights for educators and institutions aiming to integrate GenAI tools effectively into higher education.