Embracing or rejecting AI? A mixed-method study on undergraduate students’ perceptions of artificial intelligence at a private university in China

The rise of artificial intelligence (AI), particularly ChatGPT, has transformed educational landscapes globally. Moreover, the Beijing Consensus on Artificial Intelligence and Education and the ‘Pact for the Future’ propose that AI can support UNESCO in achieving development goals, especially focusing on SDG 4, which emphasizes quality education. Thus, this study investigates undergraduate students’ familiarity with and attitudes toward AI tools, as well as their perceived risks and benefits of using AI tools at a private university in China. An explanatory sequential mixed-method design was employed with an online survey of 167 students, followed by a qualitative analysis of open-ended responses. Data were analyzed using the one-sample Wilcoxon signed-rank test and thematic analysis, supported by SPSS and ATLAS.ti 25. The findings revealed that students demonstrated moderate familiarity with AI tools, particularly ChatGPT and willingness to use them in coursework. Positive attitudes toward AI’s value in education were evident, although concerns such as dependence and reduced independent thinking, algorithmic bias and ethical concerns, accuracy and information quality, data security, and privacy concerns were observed among students. Moreover, students generally viewed AI positively and perceived AI integration as inevitable and becoming common in academic settings. Students were concerned that the misuse of AI by their teachers was minimal and trusted their teachers to use AI effectively in teaching. Students also perceived AI’s benefits, such as personalized learning, efficiency and convenience, career and skill development, and support for independent learning. This study contributes to the discourse on AI integration in higher education by highlighting students’ nuanced perceptions and balancing their benefits with potential risks. The findings of this study were limited by the small sample size and institution. Future research should explore diverse contexts to develop comprehensive AI implementation frameworks for higher education.