Education and artificial intelligence in communication studies: A technical-practical-ethical discussion in students’ experience of use

Artificial intelligence (AI) technologies are reshaping human-machine relationships in today’s digital world, offering new opportunities in the field of communication. AI-based tools are widely used across various sectors, from education to professional practices, prompting interdisciplinary discussions. Integrating AI applications in universities provides a new experience in communication education, generating new debates around ethical issues, university regulations, student-academic relationships. This study aims to explore the AI usage experiences, perspectives of undergraduate students in universities, focusing on technical knowledge, consumption routines, and the context of original production and ethics. The research, employing a qualitative methodology, was conducted through structured in-depth interviews with twelve undergraduate students across three different departments in the faculty of communication at a private university in Ankara. The findings indicate that AI usage experiences differ according to demographic variables; routine use of AI has become widespread in undergraduate education, but awareness of original production and ethical responsibility remains limited.