University Students Use of and Attitudes Towards Generative AI

As Generative AI (GAI) tools rapidly evolve, they are becoming increasingly integrated into higher education. This study explores how students in programming-related studies use these tools and perceive their role. Through a qualitative survey conducted in spring 2025, the experiences and perspectives of 45 university students from five Nordic higher education institutions were examined. The findings reveal that a majority of students are regular GAI users. Applications are diverse, ranging from enhancing conceptual understanding and summarizing texts to specific coding tasks such as debugging, code explanation, and drafting initial code. While students generally advocate for the conditional use of GAI and express a strong desire for training in it's professional and ethical application, significant concerns also emerge. Significant concerns also relate to academic integrity, as students widely believe that unauthorized GAI use is already common. The study reveals an acute need for higher education institutions to actively address the ethical aspects of GAI, responsibly integrate the technology into teaching, and ensure the reliability of examinations. Further research is necessary to optimize GAI implementation in a way that both promotes learning and upholds academic integrity.