AWARENESS AND USE OF CHATGPT AS A CO-PILOT FOR RESEARCH PURPOSES AMONG UNDERGRADUATE STUDENTS IN TERTIARY INSTITUTIONS IN KOGI STATE

This study aims to reveal the use of ChatGPT by students in education for research. Therefore, the study was designed and conducted using a quantitative research method. Data were collected using a questionnaire. The emergence of Artificial Intelligence (AI), known as ChatGPT, has reshaped the Nigerian educational system. The presence of a co-pilot, especially among the students, cannot be overemphasized. This study investigates the awareness and utilization of ChatGPT as a co-pilot among undergraduate students in tertiary institutions in Kogi State. This article presents the results of an exploratory research on the best practices of using artificial intelligence (AI) for research purposes. A total of 450 undergraduate students were selected from tertiary institutions in Kogi State. Data collection was conducted using a 4-point Likert scale questionnaire with multiple-choice options. The findings show that ChatGPT is widely recognized among undergraduates in Kogi State. However, the level of awareness needed for responsible adoption in academic settings is still emerging and requires targeted digital literacy interventions. The study also revealed that undergraduates in Kogi State moderately use ChatGPT, with usage driven more by convenience and efficiency than by deep integration into rigorous academic research practices. Furthermore, there is a need for structured guidance on integrating AI into academic research to ensure that students maximize its benefits while mitigating risks to integrity and independent learning. The implications of these findings were presented, and the study recommends that institutions should integrate AI and digital literacy workshops into their academic programs to enhance students’ critical awareness of ChatGPT, especially for research purposes