Atla Annual 2025

The rapid popularity and adoption of generative AI tools are transforming how students learn, research, and create. Generative AI tools, such as ChatGPT, Copilot, and Gemini, are becoming ubiquitous in educational environments, yet little is known about how university students use them. This study investigates students’ use, attitudes, and beliefs surrounding these powerful technologies, aiming to identify critical gaps in understanding, perceived challenges, and necessary training interventions. Our research addresses several key questions: (1) How are students currently utilizing generative AI in their work? (2) What are their perceptions of the benefits and risks associated with these tools? (3) What misconceptions or knowledge gaps exist regarding the functionality, limitations, and ethical implications of generative AI? (4) What challenges do students face in effectively and ethically integrating these tools into their learning processes? Finally, (5) what targeted training and support structures are needed to empower students to leverage the potential of generative AI responsibly and effectively? This presentation will provide actionable insights for educators, librarians, and administrators seeking to address students’ use of AI in educational environments and explore what training opportunities would benefit students at this time.

Learning Outcome

By the end of this session, the attendees will:
1) Gain an understanding of how students perceive and use GenAI tools in their academic work;
2) Recognize students’ misconceptions, perceived risks, and challenges related to the ethical use of GenAI tools;
3) Apply the findings of the study to designing educational interventions to promote ethical and critical engagement with GenAI tools.

Audience Engagement

Our presentation will engage the participants using interactive presentation elements called Slido. This tool allows us to have anonymous online interactions with the session attendees. We will explore the attendees’ beliefs about students’ needs with regard to GenAI, and what educational interventions do the attendees provide in their respective institutions. In addition, we will have an editable document with the resources, which will be an important takeaway from the session.