Perceptions of artificial intelligence in academic teaching and research: a qualitative study from AI experts and professors’ perspectives

Abstract Artificial Intelligence (AI) is significantly reshaping work settings, influencing the context, conditions, and content of various professional roles. It becomes crucial to assess AI’s effect on academic work. This study explores AI’s application within teaching and research tasks in academ...

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Main Authors: Ana Daniela Peres Rebelo Verboom, Leonor Pais, Fred R. H. Zijlstra, Frederick L. Oswald, Nuno Rebelo dos Santos
Format: Article
Language:English
Published: SpringerOpen 2025-08-01
Series:International Journal of Educational Technology in Higher Education
Subjects:
Online Access:https://doi.org/10.1186/s41239-025-00546-w
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author Ana Daniela Peres Rebelo Verboom
Leonor Pais
Fred R. H. Zijlstra
Frederick L. Oswald
Nuno Rebelo dos Santos
author_facet Ana Daniela Peres Rebelo Verboom
Leonor Pais
Fred R. H. Zijlstra
Frederick L. Oswald
Nuno Rebelo dos Santos
author_sort Ana Daniela Peres Rebelo Verboom
collection DOAJ
description Abstract Artificial Intelligence (AI) is significantly reshaping work settings, influencing the context, conditions, and content of various professional roles. It becomes crucial to assess AI’s effect on academic work. This study explores AI’s application within teaching and research tasks in academia. Specifically, it pursues two Objectives (1) to identify and describe both current and prospective AI systems in higher education, and (2) to characterize the opportunities and risks of integrating AI into academic environments. Interviews were conducted with 28 participants from Portugal, the Netherlands, and the United States. The questions addressed AI’s influence on Ethical Principles and Decent Work Dimensions. Results were analyzed considering the Socio-Technical Systems Approach. Interviews were coded, analyzed for sentiment, and clustered into seven participant profiles based on coding similarities: “Optimists,” “Moderates,” “Dreamers,” “Cautious Skeptics,” “Expansionists,” “Knowledgeable,” and “Strategists.” Findings emphasize the importance of aligning technology and human needs to achieve successful AI integration. They also point to the value of well-defined guidelines, fair funding, and continuous professional development. By illustrating the spectrum of attitudes and readiness levels among academic stakeholders, this study offers key insights for policymakers, administrators, and educators seeking to embrace AI while preserving Ethical Principles and Decent Work standards.
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spelling doaj-art-bfbb83f1f2644b2896e633458b99ffac2025-08-20T03:42:56ZengSpringerOpenInternational Journal of Educational Technology in Higher Education2365-94402025-08-0122112310.1186/s41239-025-00546-wPerceptions of artificial intelligence in academic teaching and research: a qualitative study from AI experts and professors’ perspectivesAna Daniela Peres Rebelo Verboom0Leonor Pais1Fred R. H. Zijlstra2Frederick L. Oswald3Nuno Rebelo dos Santos4Center for Research in Neuropsychology and Cognitive and Behavioral Intervention (CINEICC), Faculty of Psychology and Education Sciences, University of CoimbraCenter for Research in Neuropsychology and Cognitive and Behavioral Intervention (CINEICC), Faculty of Psychology and Education Sciences, University of CoimbraDepartment of Work & Social Psychology, Maastricht UniversityDepartment of Psychological Sciences, Rice UniversityResearch Centre in Education and Psychology (CIEP-UÉ), School of Social Sciences, Universidade de ÉvoraAbstract Artificial Intelligence (AI) is significantly reshaping work settings, influencing the context, conditions, and content of various professional roles. It becomes crucial to assess AI’s effect on academic work. This study explores AI’s application within teaching and research tasks in academia. Specifically, it pursues two Objectives (1) to identify and describe both current and prospective AI systems in higher education, and (2) to characterize the opportunities and risks of integrating AI into academic environments. Interviews were conducted with 28 participants from Portugal, the Netherlands, and the United States. The questions addressed AI’s influence on Ethical Principles and Decent Work Dimensions. Results were analyzed considering the Socio-Technical Systems Approach. Interviews were coded, analyzed for sentiment, and clustered into seven participant profiles based on coding similarities: “Optimists,” “Moderates,” “Dreamers,” “Cautious Skeptics,” “Expansionists,” “Knowledgeable,” and “Strategists.” Findings emphasize the importance of aligning technology and human needs to achieve successful AI integration. They also point to the value of well-defined guidelines, fair funding, and continuous professional development. By illustrating the spectrum of attitudes and readiness levels among academic stakeholders, this study offers key insights for policymakers, administrators, and educators seeking to embrace AI while preserving Ethical Principles and Decent Work standards.https://doi.org/10.1186/s41239-025-00546-wArtificial intelligenceAcademic workEthicsDecent workSocio-technical systemsHigher education
spellingShingle Ana Daniela Peres Rebelo Verboom
Leonor Pais
Fred R. H. Zijlstra
Frederick L. Oswald
Nuno Rebelo dos Santos
Perceptions of artificial intelligence in academic teaching and research: a qualitative study from AI experts and professors’ perspectives
International Journal of Educational Technology in Higher Education
Artificial intelligence
Academic work
Ethics
Decent work
Socio-technical systems
Higher education
title Perceptions of artificial intelligence in academic teaching and research: a qualitative study from AI experts and professors’ perspectives
title_full Perceptions of artificial intelligence in academic teaching and research: a qualitative study from AI experts and professors’ perspectives
title_fullStr Perceptions of artificial intelligence in academic teaching and research: a qualitative study from AI experts and professors’ perspectives
title_full_unstemmed Perceptions of artificial intelligence in academic teaching and research: a qualitative study from AI experts and professors’ perspectives
title_short Perceptions of artificial intelligence in academic teaching and research: a qualitative study from AI experts and professors’ perspectives
title_sort perceptions of artificial intelligence in academic teaching and research a qualitative study from ai experts and professors perspectives
topic Artificial intelligence
Academic work
Ethics
Decent work
Socio-technical systems
Higher education
url https://doi.org/10.1186/s41239-025-00546-w
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