The Future of Education: Factors Affecting Students’ Perception of the Usefulness of AI Tools in Education

The integration of Artificial Intelligence (AI) tools in education has the potential to transform learning experiences. However, the extent to which students find these AI tools useful may depend on the level of their AI Literacy (AIL). This study investigates the association between AI literacy level and the perceived usefulness of AI in the academe. A survey was conducted among 172 students from five colleges at Rizal Technological University – Boni Campus during the second semester of the academic year 2023-2024. The researchers collected data on their demographic profile, AI literacy level (AILL), and perceived usefulness (PU) of AI tools in the academe, which is then analyzed using statistical methods to identify significant differences and associations. The results indicated a positive association between AI literacy levels and students’ perceptions of AI usefulness in the academe. Additionally, a significant difference in AILL, particularly in AI ethics, was observed when respondents were grouped by year level. These findings suggest that promoting AI literacy can enhance students’ engagement with AI tools in educational contexts. The study offers valuable insights for educators and policymakers in designing AI-related curricula and resources. However, the researchers acknowledge that the sample size may have affected the normality of the data. Future research is recommended to develop a more comprehensive AI literacy questionnaire to assess students’ readiness for AI use and to include a larger sample size, potentially incorporating other universities in the Philippines.