For Haleemah Rufai, a year one Medical Laboratory Science student, Artificial Intelligence (AI) is a lifesaver. Her studies sometimes include tackling complex equations or algorithms that could take hours to decipher. Such tasks are seamlessly tackled in seconds by Artificial Intelligence (AI). But there is a caveat, Artificial Intelligence cannot be trusted blindly all the time. Rufai recalled Artificial Intelligence returning a completely false response once, when she used it to find a formula for a project.
Zainab Abdul Azeez, a year 4 sociology student, describes how AI has become an indispensable tool in her academic journey. When faced with the daunting task of writing essays, AI proves to be a reliable companion, generating outlines and organizing her thoughts with ease.
Abdul Azeez knows that relying solely on AI can lead to shallow work. To add depth and substance, she always supplements AI’s assistance with traditional research methods, pouring over books and engaging in discussions. While AI provides a valuable starting point, Abdul Azeez recognizes that the final product is her responsibility, requiring her own critical thinking and analysis to produce high-quality work.
As technology advances at an unprecedented rate, AI is fast becoming a transformative force in education. From personalized learning experiences to AI-powered tutors, recent research has highlighted how this technology is reshaping classrooms worldwide.
For students, the integration of AI in education offers exciting opportunities for personalized learning, greater accessibility, and enhanced engagement. AI is a valuable tool for academic and research assistance. It can quickly provide relevant information, sources, and data, saving you time and effort, and can assist with writing tasks, such as suggesting alternative phrases, correcting grammar and spelling errors, and even generating content.
According to the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO) AI is enabling the development of invaluable services and taking part in more and more aspects of our lives. Built from data, hardware and connectivity, AI allows machines to mimic human intelligence such as perception, problem-solving, linguistic interaction or creativity. These technologies contribute to achieving the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development.
Dr. Mutiat Ogunrinde, the Head of Department, Mathematical and Computer Sciences and a Senior Career Researcher at Fountain University, views AI as a complementary tool rather than a replacement for human effort. “AI is here to complement our work, not replace it,” she says. “Students should use AI as a guide and always verify its outputs. Citations generated by AI are sometimes correct and accurate, but students must double-check references to avoid academic errors.”
Furthermore, UNESCO’s new AI competency frameworks for students and educators aims to ensure that teachers or educators are equipped to use AI responsibly and effectively while minimising potential risks to students and society. The framework emphasises that AI tools should complement, not replace, the vital roles and responsibilities of teachers in education.
However, students and educators alike recognize its potential but emphasize the need for a balanced, responsible approach. AI offers educators innovative ways to enhance research, teaching, and learning experiences. It also raises critical concerns about academic integrity, originality, and the erosion of critical thinking skills.
Mr. Abass Okandeji, a lecturer in the department of Mass Communication, expresses concern about the ethical implications of AI in academia. “The biggest issue is plagiarism”, he says. “AI tools often replicate existing data, and students copy and paste without proper citation. This compromises originality and academic integrity. Another alarming problem is fabricated citations. Artificial Intelligence sometimes generates fake journal articles or Digital Object Identifiers DOIs, which can mislead students. We need to teach them how to verify AI-generated content and use it ethically”, he said.
Dr. Ridwan Kolawole, a lecturer at University of Ibadan likened Artificial Intelligence (AI) to a double-edged sword. “AI is like having a second brain, it can provide support, but it can’t replace your own thinking. The problem is that students are now relying solely on AI, ignoring other sources of information. This is dangerous for academia. AI-generated citations are often fake, and if you don’t read widely, you won’t even notice these errors”.
“In disciplines like law, where context is key, students are finding AI to be a mixed blessing. Aishat Lawal, a year 4 Law student disclosed using AI for legal research. “It is great for quickly finding case precedents or statutes. But it does not always grasp the context of local legal systems. For instance, it might suggest U.S. case laws when a law student is researching Nigerian law. It is a useful guide, but students must always cross-check with real legal texts. You cannot rely on AI alone if you want accurate results”, she noted.
While students are amazed at the convenience AI brings, educators are also adapting to this new reality. For many lecturers, AI has become a valuable tool both for teaching and research, but also a source of concern.
“AI has made my work as a researcher much easier,” said Mr. Azeez Akeem, a Mass Communication lecturer and researcher. “It helps generate research topics, refine grammar, and even design study outlines. But I worry about students becoming too dependent on it. Many no longer want to think critically or put in the effort to learn. Over-reliance on AI is making them lazy, and that’s a dangerous way of learning.”
Dr. Kolawole notes that many AI tools fabricate citations, and students who do not read widely cannot identify these errors. AI is a tool, not a shortcut to success. The importance of maintaining originality: students must combine AI-generated insights with non-AI materials and dedicate time to reading and discussing their findings.
This cautious approach reflects a sentiment shared by many students: AI is a helpful assistant but not a replacement for their efforts.
For Maryam Tijani, a year 4 Nursing student, precision is critical, making AI both a tool and a risk. “Nursing is a field where there is no room for error,” she emphasized. “I use AI to simplify certain concepts or gather initial ideas, but I always validate the information with textbooks and peer-reviewed journals. AI might provide answers quickly, but it does not understand my course material or my professors’ expectations. It can guide you, but it cannot replace the hours of studying needed to master the subject”.
Tijani further added that by leveraging AI-powered tools, nursing students can develop critical thinking skills, practice clinical decision-making, and gain hands-on experience in a safe and controlled environment. AI can also assist with research, organization, and time management, helping students stay current with the latest research and best practices, while also keeping track of assignments, deadlines, and clinical rotations. Overall, AI has the potential to revolutionize nursing education, helping students develop the knowledge, skills, and competencies needed to provide high-quality patient care.
Speaking on the issue, a digital strategist, Mr Adeoye Oyekola explained that AI would not replace humans but would transform the way we approach work and reshape our perspectives. Al can automate repetitive tasks and enhance efficiency, but it still heavily relies on human interaction for input, direction, and interpretation. Al serves as a tool that amplifies human capabilities rather than a replacement for them.
UNESCO takes a human-centred approach to AI in education, emphasizing the enhancement of human capabilities and the promotion of social justice, sustainability and human dignity. This aligns with the principles outlined in UNESCO’s guidance on generative AI in education and research as well as the 2021 Recommendations on the ethics of Artificial Intelligence and the 2019 Beijing consensus on Artificial Intelligence and education.
The new frameworks stress that AI should support human decision-making and intellectual development, rather than undermine or replace it.
Dr. Ogunrinde further emphasizes the importance of active engagement in learning. “When students rely too much on Artificial Intelligence, they miss out on understanding the material. I encourage my students to visit libraries, read extensively, and develop critical thinking skills. It’s not just about passing exams but retaining knowledge for the future”.
Mr Azeez emphasized the importance of balance: “Artificial Intelligence should be used to enhance learning, not replace it. I always tell my students that they should use AI to fine-tune their work, not to do it for them. When students rely entirely on AI, they lose the ability to think independently, and that’s a downfall”.
In the fast-evolving world of computer science, AI has been transformative. Farhan Adedeji, a 200-level computer science student, at Fountain University, having Artificial Intelligence feels like having a coding mentor at her fingertips. Using AI tools like ChatGPT helps her with coding and debugging. It is incredibly useful to her when she is stuck on an assignment. But sometimes, the solutions are too broad for her.
“You need a deep understanding of programming to customize AI’s output to suit your needs. Without that foundation, you’ll struggle to produce quality work”, she added.
Dr Kolawole encouraged students to adopt a balanced approach, “students should use AI as one of many tools. Books, journals, and group discussions are still irreplaceable. Critical thinking and extensive reading are what differentiate a good student from one who just scrapes by. AI can assist you, but it’s not a shortcut to academic success.”
However, he further noted that many AI tools fabricate citations, and students who do not read widely cannot identify these errors. AI is a tool, not a shortcut to success. The importance of maintaining originality: Students must combine AI-generated insights with non-AI materials and dedicate time to reading and discussing their findings. At
READ MORE FROM: NIGERIAN TRIBUNE