The Emergence of Generative AI in Higher Education: Exploring the Perceived Challenges Among Teachers and Students

Abstract

The emergence of Generative AI (GAI) in education brings both benefits and challenges. As GAI tools become more common in schools, concerns about ethics, academic honesty, and how well teachers and students adapt to GAI are a major concern. This chapter explored the challenges of using GAI as experienced by teachers and students in rural areas, where access to technology and digital skills may affect AI use. Following a Husserlian phenomenological research design, participants were interviewed, and the transcripts were examined using thematic analysis. The findings show that teachers struggle to balance GAI tools with traditional teaching, while students face challenges with digital literacy and academic integrity. Despite these issues, both teachers and students see the potential of GAI tools in improving learning. The chapter emphasizes the need for clear ethical guidelines, digital skills training, and school support to ensure GAI tools are used responsibly. These findings show the importance of further research on AI's role in education.