AWARENESS AND USE OF ARTIFICIAL INTELLIGENCE TOOLS BY ACADEMIC STAFF AND STUDENTS AT GBOKO POLYTECHNIC GBOKO, BENUE STATE

Abstract

This study assessed the awareness and use of Artificial Intelligence (AI) tools by academic staff and students at Gboko Polytechnic, Gboko, Benue State. The study used a descriptive survey design. The population comprised 1,336 academic staff and students. A sample size of 392 participants were drawn using Taro Yamane’s formula. Data were collected through a structured questionnaire with a respondents’ return rate of 98.9%. Data were analyzed using descriptive statistics of frequency counts, mean and standard deviation. Findings revealed a high level of awareness of AI tools such as ChatGPT, Grammarly, Quillbot, and Turnitin, with Elicit recording the highest awareness level (mean 3.19). The study also found that academic staff and students actively use AI tools to a high extent for teaching, learning and research writing with ChatGPT, Grammarly, Turnitin, Quillbot, and Elicit being the most commonly utilized. The study showed simultaneous adoption of AI tools by both the staff and the students. Based on the study findings, it was concluded that although awareness and utilization are generally high, some AI tools like Research Rabbit are less commonly used. It recommended capacity-building workshops, clear institutional policies on AI use, improved infrastructure and the integration of AI literacy into academic programs to enhance effective and ethical use.