Factors Influencing the Adoption of Artificial Intelligence Tools Among Computer Science Students of the Federal College of Education, Yola
TL;DR
The study concluded that students' adoption of AI tools was largely influenced by their perceived usefulness and ease of use, while adequate technological facilities and responsible-use guidance were also important.
Abstract
This study examined the factors influencing the adoption of Artificial Intelligence (AI) tools among Computer Science students of the Federal College of Education (FCE), Yola. The study was motivated by the increasing use of AI technologies in education and the need to understand the factors that encouraged or discouraged students from adopting such tools for academic activities. Specifically, the study examined the influence of perceived usefulness, perceived ease of use, and facilitating conditions on the adoption of AI tools among Computer Science students. A descriptive survey research design was adopted for the study. Data were collected from 87 respondents using a structured questionnaire based on a five-point Likert scale. The data were analysed using frequency, percentage and mean scores, with a criterion mean of 3.00 used for decision-making. The findings revealed that perceived usefulness was the strongest factor influencing AI adoption, with a grand mean of 4.11, followed by perceived ease of use, with a grand mean of 4.07. Facilitating conditions also influenced adoption, recording a grand mean of 3.57. The study further found that students demonstrated a generally positive attitude towards the continued use of AI tools, with a mean score of 3.89. The findings indicated that students perceived AI tools as useful for completing academic activities, improving learning experiences, understanding difficult Computer Science topics and supporting academic performance. However, issues relating to internet access, data costs, electricity, privacy and the accuracy of AI-generated information remained relevant concerns. The study concluded that students' adoption of AI tools was largely influenced by their perceived usefulness and ease of use, while adequate technological facilities and responsible-use guidance were also important. The study recommended that the institution should provide AI awareness and training programmes, improve access to reliable internet and digital facilities, and develop appropriate guidelines for the responsible academic use of AI tools.