Impact of Generative AI on Undergraduate Students: A Case Study of KDU Global

Abstract

The rapid advancement in Generative AI (GenAI) tools has changed higher education, mainly in how undergraduate students use various AI tools such as ChatGPT, Claude AI, etc., and many others for educational objectives. These tools help students learn efficiently with a greater understanding of programming and technical concepts. However, overreliance on such tools leads to serious concerns about students’ critical thinking and problem-solving skills. The main focus of this research is to show the behavioral impact of using GenAI tools among undergraduate students in the Smart Computing department at Kyungdong University Global in Goseong-gun, South Korea. This research aims to define the effects of such tools on students’ learning behavior in educational practices. It tells the purpose and frequency of GenAI usage, identifies its impact on learning habits, and shows students’ awareness of the challenges and consequences for problem-solving and independent thinking. A quantitative research approach was used to get data from 160 students via a Google form through the cross-sectional survey method. The survey included questions regarding awareness of AI tools, AI usage in learning behavior, non-users’ perceptions, and awareness of AI tools associated with learning practice. The acquired data were evaluated using detailed statistical tools. The outcome shows that most of the students daily use GenAI tools for academic purposes, especially for assistance with coding, debugging, and problem-solving. The results demonstrate that these tools enhance learning efficiency, quality of assignments and project tasks, improve understanding of programming and technical concepts, and increase efficiency in completing academic tasks. But, issues regarding overreliance on AI tools, reduced development of independent and problem-solving skills, and inaccuracy or inconsistency in AI-generated answers were also observed. Diversities in usage patterns were noted among various student groups. The research is conducted through convenience sampling, and it is concentrated on a single department, which could affect the generalizability of the findings. However, the research gives a crucial perspective for educational organizations in creating balanced approaches to incorporating GenAI into education and learning behavior. It emphasizes the need to encourage ethical use of AI while maintaining important cognitive and problem-solving abilities.