AI Tutors vs. Human Instructors: Perceptions of Higher Education Students in Hungary and Spain

Integrating AI-powered tutoring systems in higher education represents a significant advancement in educational technology, offering personalized and adaptive learning experiences. This study investigates the perceptions and expectations of higher education students in Hungary and Spain regarding AI tutors. Despite extensive research on the technological efficacy of AI systems, there is limited understanding of student attitudes in these specific cultural contexts. This research aims to fill this gap by exploring student expectations, satisfaction levels, and perceived benefits of AI tutors compared to human instructors. To achieve this, a validated questionnaire was administered to 184 higher education students from Hungary and Spain, capturing data on various dimensions of their expectations. The study's findings indicate that students appreciate the adaptability and continuous guidance provided by AI tutors, with Hungarian students showing higher overall expectations compared to their Spanish counterparts. These insights suggest that AI tutoring systems can enhance the learning experience by addressing individual student needs more effectively. The implications of this study are significant for higher education institutions seeking to integrate AI technologies.