EXPLORING THE IMPACT AND CHALLENGES OF USING ARTIFICIAL INTELLIGENCE IN AN OPEN, DISTANCE AND DIGITAL EDUCATION UNIVERSITY: A CONCEPTUAL PAPER

Artificial Intelligence (AI) is being more and more incorporated into the field of education, providing advancements in personalized learning, adaptive systems, and administrative efficiencies in Open, Distance and Digital Education (ODDE) University. The research is focused on discovering the benefits, such as enhanced personalization and automation, as well as drawbacks like excessive dependence on technology and worries about data privacy. A combination of methods will be used to gather data, including surveys, interviews, and document reviews with the university's faculty, students, and administrators. Predicted results indicate that although AI can improve learning experiences and make administrative tasks more efficient, it also brings about challenges such as infrastructure constraints, ethical concerns, and adaptation struggles for those involved. The consequences are significant for policymakers, educators, and students, offering guidance on how to successfully and ethically incorporate AI into ODDE University. Suggestions consist of enhancing technological infrastructure, providing thorough training for employees, and creating explicit guidelines on data privacy and utilization of AI. The research highlights the importance of a comprehensive approach that considers the viewpoints of all those participating. Additional studies are recommended to investigate the lasting impact and wider uses in various educational settings, with the goal of maximizing the advantages of AI while addressing any possible disadvantages in online learning.