Artificial Intelligence (AI) in Education: A Cross-Sectional Study Among College and University-Level Students of Assam, India

Background: Artificial Intelligence is an evolving technology in the education sector. In India, with the prevailing digital divide among various sections of the society, it is feared that a ‘AI Divide’ would further aggravate the situation. Objectives: This paper aims to assess the perspective and level of awareness among college and university-level students in Assam, India, regarding AI and to assess the association between AI usage in academic purpose and the socio demographic characteristics of these students. Materials and Methods: Simple Random Sampling has been used for data collection from 200 respondents using a structured questionnaire. Chi square test is used for analysis. Results: Familiarity with AI and AI-related courses reveals that 14.5% is ‘not familiar at all’ and 15.5% is “very familiar” with AI and its usage. 7% have undergone AI-related courses, indicating a potential gap in AI education. Male students show a significantly higher usage of AI for academic purposes compared to female students in Assam. Urban students exhibit a significantly higher usage of AI compared to rural students. Literacy level of parents and the monthly income of parents do not show a significant association with AI usage among students in Assam. Students who are more familiar with AI tend to use it more for academic purposes. Whether students have undergone any AI related course does not significantly influence their usage of AI for academic purposes.