Exploring Students' Perspectives on Generative AI for Academic Purposes in Uzbekistan's Higher Education

Integrating Artificial Intelligence (AI) tools in higher education is transforming academic practices globally, including in Uzbekistan, where digital adoption in education is evolving. This study explores the perceptions, usage patterns, and challenges associated with AI tools among 207 undergraduate students, using surveys and open-ended questions to gain a deeper understanding of their experiences. According to the survey results, 88,4 % of students frequently use AI tools. ChatGPT is the most popular among them, and they use it mainly for studying, researching, and generating ideas. Students also shоwed оptimism toward the potential of AI to improve learning outcomes, enhance creativity, and support their academic endeavоrs. However, the students have expressed some concerns regarding the usage of AI, such as plagiarism, overdependence on AI, false information, and a decline in critical thinking. Also, they highlighted the issue of AI accessibility in Uzbekistan regions and showed their preference for more localized AI tools tailored to specific local subjects, with an offline functionality considering limitations in infrastructure. Furthermore, the confidence level in the accuracy of information provided by AI tools was different among the respondents. They indicated the need for more reliability and ethical safeguards aligned with moral standards. These results have a significant role in growing research on the usage of AI in education and highlighting its benefits and shortcomings. It also provides valuable suggestions for the effective and optimized usage of AI for the educators and policymakers of the higher education system of Uzbekistan.