Bridging the Educational Divide with ChatGPT’s Integration in Philippine Higher Education: Q Methodology and Narrative Inquiry Studies

Aim/Purpose: This paper investigates the integration of ChatGPT in Philippine higher education institutions (HEIs). It explores whether ChatGPT bridges or deepens educational divides, particularly in the context of the urban-rural gap, ethical concerns, and cultural resistance to technological change. Background: Focusing on Philippine HEIs, the research addresses the problem by exploring the adoption patterns, faculty preparedness, and the impact of cultural and socioeconomic factors on ChatGPT integration in Philippine HEIs, using a mixed-methods approach combining Q-Methodology and Narrative Inquiry. Methodology: The study employs a mixed-methods approach, combining Q-Methodology to identify shared viewpoints among stakeholders and Narrative Inquiry to provide rich contextual insights. The research sample includes 27 participants (15 students and 12 faculty members) from both urban and rural Philippine HEIs. Contribution: This research develops a culturally sensitive framework for ChatGPT integration. It advances understanding of how local factors shape academic integrity, pedagogy, and institutional adoption. This study pioneers a Q-Narrative hybrid approach to reveal how AI adoption barriers are statistically patterned and experientially lived. Findings: This study explores how Philippine universities adopted ChatGPT’s free version (GPT-3.5) in September 2023. It revealed three distinct approaches among educators and students: (1) Ethical Tech Advocates who emphasized responsible AI use, (2) Balanced Learning Integrators who blended ChatGPT with traditional teaching methods, and (3) Pragmatic Efficiency Seekers who focused on overcoming resource limitations through AI tools. ChatGPT can enhance inclusivity but may exacerbate inequalities when digital literacy and infrastructure disparities exist. Ethical concerns, such as academic integrity and over-reliance on AI, significantly influence technology acceptance. The urban-rural divide creates significant barriers to equitable access and effective implementation of ChatGPT. Recommendations for Practitioners: Adopt context-sensitive ChatGPT guidelines, promote digital literacy, and address infrastructure gaps to ensure equitable access. Encourage ethical AI use through transparent discussions and balanced assessments. Recommendation for Researchers: Prioritize longitudinal studies, cross-context comparisons, and solutions for the urban-rural divide. Validate tools to assess AI-enhanced learning. Impact on Society: The findings highlight the dual potential of ChatGPT to either bridge or deepen educational divides, emphasizing the need for equitable access, ethical guidelines, and culturally sensitive integration strategies. Future Research: Future studies should focus on longitudinal impacts, comparative analyses across educational contexts, and the development of ethical frameworks and assessment methods for AI integration.