AI Meets Academics: Ethical Dilemmas and Insights on ChatGPT from Higher Education

The emergence of AI tools such as ChatGPT has ignited discussions about their ethical ramifications in educational settings. This qualitative research paper studies the ethical perceptions of ChatGPT among academics from various Romanian universities. By means of conducting semi-structured interviews with academics, the study investigates academic perspectives on the role of AI tools in student life, as well as their capacity to develop critical thinking abilities in students. While students usually think that ChatGPT is a valuable educational resource, academics hold a varied opinion regarding its impact, which is reflected in the form of a lack of consensus. Some believe that it may enhance critical thinking, while others argue that it may lead to over-dependency and plagiarism. The paper also reveals a more nuanced perception of academics regarding the future incorporation of AI in classrooms, balancing its advantages against ethical challenges. These results contribute to filling the literature gap by providing a detailed perspective regarding the ethical perception of academics regarding the usage of AI tools in educational settings. Moreover, the study provides valuable insights for policymakers and academics who will contribute to establishing ethical guidelines for the usage of AI tools in education.