Harnessing the Potential: AI in Higher Education from a Moroccan Lens

Friday 31 May 2024 - 08:18

In the ever-evolving landscape of higher education, artificial intelligence (AI) has emerged as a transformative force, transcending boundaries and reshaping the essence of learning. A recent study titled "The Impact of Artificial Intelligence on Research and Higher Education in Morocco," conducted by researchers Ghizlane Moukhliss, Khalid Lahyani, and Ghizlane, delves into the profound impact of AI within Moroccan universities, shedding light on its transformative influence, undeniable advantages, arduous challenges, and the perspectives that unfold on a future horizon.

The study's findings reveal a striking dichotomy: while 75% of students acknowledge the myriad benefits of AI in enhancing the quality of learning, a staggering 38% of faculty members possess limited knowledge of AI tools, and 10% lack any familiarity with them altogether. This disparity underscores the need for a concerted effort to bridge the knowledge gap and unlock the full potential of AI in educational settings.

The survey further unveils that while AI integration is prevalent in 53% of institutions, offering courses that seamlessly incorporate its capabilities, a significant 35% of establishments remain untouched by this technological wave. Interestingly, over 67% of faculty members have already harnessed the power of AI-based tools in their teaching and research endeavors, ranging from translation and language verification to plagiarism detection and content creation or adaptation.

Notably, the study reveals a willingness among educators to invest in AI's utilization within the realm of education. Over 64% of respondents expressed confidence in their ability to acquire the necessary skills to wield AI tools effectively. Additionally, 55% affirmed a clear vision of their role as educators in the integration of these cutting-edge technologies.

While the intentions of stakeholders within Morocco's higher education sector are recognized as influential factors in AI adoption by over 92% of faculty members, a resounding 95% assert that AI-generated tools can never truly replace the physical presence and personal interaction of a teacher in a classroom setting.

Turning the spotlight to the student perspective, the survey unveiled that the majority of participants (44%) were doctoral candidates, closely followed by 40% undergraduate students. Over 40% of students demonstrated moderate proficiency in AI tools, while more than 32% possessed only superficial knowledge.

Unsurprisingly, ChatGPT reigns supreme among students, boasting a staggering 85% popularity, trailed by Midjourney at 6.22%, Bard at 4.53%, and OpenAI at 2.50%. Regarding usage, 151 students leveraged these tools to "obtain additional information," 124 sought translations and language verification, and 103 requested text structure improvements.

Notably, 75% of participants affirmed that AI enhances the quality of learning, with additional advantages such as 24/7 availability and increased efficiency. Students confirmed that AI facilitates their studies and research, accelerates tasks, and boosts productivity. However, only 17.3% noted concrete improvements, while 82% observed no discernible difference.

The study also identified various obstacles to AI adoption in higher education, including lack of training, fear of plagiarism and fraud, dissemination of inaccurate information, reduced student effort, laziness, ethical dilemmas, stifling of innovation and creativity, student irresponsibility, faculty unfamiliarity with AI, high tool costs, and the fear of diminishing human intelligence.

To address these challenges, participants recommended providing training for students and faculty, establishing ethical frameworks, organizing AI conferences, and encouraging the integration of AI into educational programs, paving the way for a seamless transition into the AI-driven future of higher education.