Generative AI programmes like ChatGPT are becoming an integral part of university education. Recent research from HEPI has shown that 92% of UK students are now using these tools, with many citing speed and convenience as the reason for the adoption. At the same time, fewer than 20% of them use AI-generated content verbatim, indicating that fears of rampant misconduct are likely exaggerated.
Rather than being used as a shortcut, AI is reshaping how and where students conduct their research, prompting universities to reconsider their approaches to teaching, learning, and assessment. For students, using ChatGPT can feel like an extension of the library experience, only faster and always on-hand. However, this environment also highlights a crucial challenge: verification. AI tools often provide credible-sounding responses without the sources to back them up.
Students must learn how to critically analyse machine-generated text to ensure they aren’t relying on inaccuracies or fabricated citations. So how can universities lead a constructive path forward?
Shifting research behaviours
Speed is increasingly central to the modern student’s research process. No longer do undergraduates or postgraduates spend countless hours combing through traditional searches; instead, AI-driven platforms can direct them to relevant content within seconds. While this efficiency can be valuable for managing the demands of higher education, it also carries risks if students fail to think critically about the output.
The challenge for institutions is to harness this speed while still instilling rigorous research habits. Students need both agility and depth, which emerge from combining AI tools with robust scholarly skills.
The credibility of AI-generated references is naturally a concern for students. One significant issue is hallucination, where AI programmes invent non-existent or irrelevant sources that look convincing but lack validity. In contrast, the academic tradition emphasises peer-reviewed journals, proven methodologies, and transparent citations.
As a result, higher education leaders must promote digital literacy, ensuring students understand how to question and corroborate the content they find. This includes teaching them to double-check references, consult academic databases, and compare multiple sources. By fostering these habits, universities can help students become discerning consumers of AI-driven data.
Bridging the digital divide
It’s important to recognise that adoption of AI isn’t uniform across all demographics. As HEPI’s findings suggest, wealthier students tend to feel more confident using AI tools, while those with fewer resources may struggle with access or training. This situation demands institutional action to avoid increasing the already exigent digital divide.
Universities can tackle this head-on by providing campus-wide training initiatives, user-friendly software integrations, and free or low-cost access to essential technologies. By levelling the playing field, institutions can ensure AI becomes an engine for academic equity rather than a barrier. Collaboration between libraries, faculties, and EdTech providers is also crucial in providing students with consistent guidance and platforms.
The problem with a ban
Some universities might be tempted to impose bans on generative AI, fearing issues such as plagiarism or a decline in literacy or critical thought. Yet an outright prohibition would likely have unintended consequences. Students would almost certainly continue to use AI, albeit discreetly and without essential oversight or instruction on how to do so responsibly.
Instead, it’s more beneficial for universities to incorporate AI literacy into their curricula. Only a third (36%) of students in HEPI’s research reported receiving training in AI from their universities. By showing students how to properly analyse AI-generated insights, compare them against established theories, and maintain academic integrity, universities can turn the situation into an opportunity for growth.
At Perlego, we’ve learned firsthand that AI tools can not only maintain academic integrity but also enhance it. For example, platforms that ground AI-generated answers in verifiable academic texts allow students to see the evidence behind each statement. This approach reduces the risk of fabricated information and encourages learners to explore original sources themselves.
Early data from our own AI-powered platform indicates that students don’t just seek quick answers; they open more books, read more widely, and engage deeply with the material. This demonstrates how responsible use of AI can significantly enhance a student’s engagement with academic content.
Preparing Universities for an AI-driven Future
To remain relevant, universities need to focus on four key areas of adaptation:
- Renewed Curriculums: Universities must develop modules or workshops that teach the fundamentals of AI literacy and responsible use. Students should learn about the AI-powered tools available, but also how to critique and improve their outputs.
- Assessment Reform: Traditional essays and exams may need recalibration to reflect AI’s existence. This could include assignments that require students to demonstrate how they used AI, which sources they verified, and the critical thinking
steps they took.
- Ethical Frameworks: Create clear guidelines on what constitutes permissible use of AI in coursework. By clarifying the boundaries, universities can preserve academic standards while encouraging innovation.
- Equitable Access: Ensure that all students, regardless of their background, have the tools and training to make the most of AI. This involves both technical resources and comprehensive user education.
Generative AI is creating new opportunities and challenges that universities must urgently address. At the moment, there is no unified response. Rather than resisting this transformation, universities should lean into it by developing strategies that maintain academic rigour while nurturing curiosity and innovation.
By prioritising credible sources, digital literacy, and open dialogue between educators and students, universities can effectively harness the power of AI. If implemented thoughtfully, generative AI will empower students to excel in an increasingly digital world, building strong foundations for the next decades of AI-powered transformation.
