STUDENTS� PERCEPTIONS OF ARTIFICIAL INTELLIGENCE IN HIGHER EDUCATION

Over the past decade, there has been significant progress in the field of artificial intelligence (AI), marking it as an emerging technology with potential significance in the realm of education. It is poised to assume a substantial role in both the processes of teaching and learning in the immediate future. This study aims to delineate the viewpoints of university students pertaining to the concept of artificial intelligence. To this end, an online survey was conducted among students enrolled at Partium Christian University in Romania. The survey sought to gauge students' level of awareness regarding AI, the sources they utilize for acquiring knowledge about AI, their feelings toward AI, their perspectives on its potential impact across various domains, its primary advantages within the educational, teaching, and learning contexts, and also the potential drawbacks AI might bring to the educational sphere. This research is an integral component of a broader investigation and is characterized by its exploratory nature. Our primary objective was to comprehend how students within our university perceive artificial intelligence and how they envision its role within education. For the purpose of data analysis, an open-source software was employed, enhancing the precision of capturing the students' viewpoints and sentiments regarding artificial intelligence. The outcomes closely align with findings documented in the international body of literature.