Generative AI in Higher Education: Teachers’ and Students’ Perspectives on Support, Replacement, and Digital Literacy

Artificial intelligence (AI) is increasingly shaping diverse sectors, including education, sparking debates about its potential to transform pedagogical practices and redefine the role of educators. This study explores the perceptions and applications of generative AI in Moroccan higher education to...

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Main Authors: Samia Haroud, Nadia Saqri
Format: Article
Language:English
Published: MDPI AG 2025-03-01
Series:Education Sciences
Subjects:
Online Access:https://www.mdpi.com/2227-7102/15/4/396
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author Samia Haroud
Nadia Saqri
author_facet Samia Haroud
Nadia Saqri
author_sort Samia Haroud
collection DOAJ
description Artificial intelligence (AI) is increasingly shaping diverse sectors, including education, sparking debates about its potential to transform pedagogical practices and redefine the role of educators. This study explores the perceptions and applications of generative AI in Moroccan higher education to better understand its implications for teaching and learning. A mixed-methods approach was adopted, combining quantitative data from 130 teachers and 156 students with qualitative insights. Quantitative findings reveal significant differences: students demonstrate greater openness to adopting AI, appreciating its capacity to provide instant feedback, enhance creativity, and improve academic performance. In contrast, teachers express reservations, particularly regarding AI’s potential to undermine critical soft skills such as collaboration, problem-solving, and critical thinking. Qualitative analyses confirm these trends, highlighting that, while AI is perceived as a valuable complementary tool, it cannot replace the essential human role of educators in providing personalized guidance and addressing students’ emotional and cognitive needs. Both groups agree on the necessity of enhanced digital literacy to ensure ethical and effective AI integration. These findings underscore the opportunities of generative AI, such as personalized learning and efficiency, while addressing limitations like ethical concerns and over-reliance, offering actionable insights for policymakers, educators, and technologists aiming to integrate AI responsibly in education.
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spelling doaj-art-6a760a31d6bc4502aa91c3bca71a21162025-08-20T02:17:20ZengMDPI AGEducation Sciences2227-71022025-03-0115439610.3390/educsci15040396Generative AI in Higher Education: Teachers’ and Students’ Perspectives on Support, Replacement, and Digital LiteracySamia Haroud0Nadia Saqri1Multidisciplinary Laboratory in Education Sciences and Training Engineering (LMSEIF), Hassan II University of Casablanca, Casablanca 20100, MoroccoMultidisciplinary Laboratory in Education Sciences and Training Engineering (LMSEIF), Hassan II University of Casablanca, Casablanca 20100, MoroccoArtificial intelligence (AI) is increasingly shaping diverse sectors, including education, sparking debates about its potential to transform pedagogical practices and redefine the role of educators. This study explores the perceptions and applications of generative AI in Moroccan higher education to better understand its implications for teaching and learning. A mixed-methods approach was adopted, combining quantitative data from 130 teachers and 156 students with qualitative insights. Quantitative findings reveal significant differences: students demonstrate greater openness to adopting AI, appreciating its capacity to provide instant feedback, enhance creativity, and improve academic performance. In contrast, teachers express reservations, particularly regarding AI’s potential to undermine critical soft skills such as collaboration, problem-solving, and critical thinking. Qualitative analyses confirm these trends, highlighting that, while AI is perceived as a valuable complementary tool, it cannot replace the essential human role of educators in providing personalized guidance and addressing students’ emotional and cognitive needs. Both groups agree on the necessity of enhanced digital literacy to ensure ethical and effective AI integration. These findings underscore the opportunities of generative AI, such as personalized learning and efficiency, while addressing limitations like ethical concerns and over-reliance, offering actionable insights for policymakers, educators, and technologists aiming to integrate AI responsibly in education.https://www.mdpi.com/2227-7102/15/4/396generative artificial intelligencehigher educationlearningdigital literacytechnological ethicshuman skills
spellingShingle Samia Haroud
Nadia Saqri
Generative AI in Higher Education: Teachers’ and Students’ Perspectives on Support, Replacement, and Digital Literacy
Education Sciences
generative artificial intelligence
higher education
learning
digital literacy
technological ethics
human skills
title Generative AI in Higher Education: Teachers’ and Students’ Perspectives on Support, Replacement, and Digital Literacy
title_full Generative AI in Higher Education: Teachers’ and Students’ Perspectives on Support, Replacement, and Digital Literacy
title_fullStr Generative AI in Higher Education: Teachers’ and Students’ Perspectives on Support, Replacement, and Digital Literacy
title_full_unstemmed Generative AI in Higher Education: Teachers’ and Students’ Perspectives on Support, Replacement, and Digital Literacy
title_short Generative AI in Higher Education: Teachers’ and Students’ Perspectives on Support, Replacement, and Digital Literacy
title_sort generative ai in higher education teachers and students perspectives on support replacement and digital literacy
topic generative artificial intelligence
higher education
learning
digital literacy
technological ethics
human skills
url https://www.mdpi.com/2227-7102/15/4/396
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