Examining Faculty and Student Perceptions of Generative AI in University Courses in Bahawalpur Division

Abstract

The study explored the perceptions of faculty and students regarding the integration of generative AI in the universities courses of Bahawalpur Division. A quantitative cross-sectional survey with 646 subjects (546 students and 100 faculty members) was carried out in nine public and private university institutions and campuses. A structured proforma was used to gather data and the collected data was analysed using SPSS Version 26. Descriptive statistics, frequencies, percentages, means and standard deviations were used to analyze the perceptions of respondents. The results showed overall positive perceptions of structured integration of generative AI. Sixty-seven and a half percent of all students agreed that AI should be incorporated into university curricula, 61.4 percent agreed that AI should be used when doing assignments, and 63.2 percent agreed that the use of AI should be limited during exams. Furthermore, 52.4% endorsed that university AI training programmes should be embraced and 62.9% agreed that AI could take over some of the traditional teaching job. The level of agreement among faculty was 63.0%, 77.0%, 77.0%, 66.0% and 72.0% respectively. Thus, descriptive comparison suggested that four of the five statements had higher faculty scores and four had higher student scores, suggesting greater faculty agreement on four of the five statements, and slightly greater student scores on general curriculum integration. The results show preferences for structured incorporation of AI and institutional training, as well as clear guidelines for academic use. Key words: Bahawalpur Division, Faculty Perceptions, Generative AI, Higher Education, Student Perceptions.