Role of Artificial Intelligence in Education: Perceptions and Usage among Students in Afghanistan

This study explores the perceptions and usage of Artificial Intelligence (AI) among students in Afghanistan. The world is witnessing the culmination of AI and its integration in various fields - from education to the economy and beyond - and it can surpass human intelligence and capabilities, where most of the work will be done by machines and robots equipped with AI. For war-ravaged countries like Afghanistan, the emergence of AI brings opportunities but also significant social, economic, political and security challenges if not addressed properly. The study employs a mixed-method approach to understand the issue comprehensively. Findings show that a significant majority of the students from public and private universities and high schools in Afghanistan use AI to ease work and study burdens, retrieve information and learn new concepts. Based on the study's findings, AI should be encouraged in education and other fields with appropriate training and resources to enhance human capabilities. However, it is equally important to establish legal, ethical and regulatory frameworks to mitigate the risk of over-reliance on AI; in addition to that, it is also important to continuously monitor and observe the developments in AI so that its potential benefits can be realized and related risks and threats could be effectively addressed.