The Perspective of Occupational Therapy Students Toward the Use of ChatGPT in Academics in Saudi Arabia: A Qualitative Study

Areej Meny1– 3 1Occupational Therapy Program, King Saud bin Abdulaziz University for Health Sciences, Jeddah, Saudi Arabia; 2Ministry of the National Guard – Health Affairs, Jeddah, Saudi Arabia; 3King Abdullah International Medical Research Center, Western Region, Jeddah, Saudi ArabiaCorrespondence: Areej Meny, Occupational Therapy Program, King Saud bin Abdulaziz University for Health Sciences, Jeddah, Saudi Arabia, Email [email protected]: This study aims to explore the experience of using ChatGPT in academics by occupational therapy students in Saudi Arabia.Methods: A qualitative study design was used to collect data via semi-structured individual interviews with undergraduate occupational therapy students at a Saudi Arabian University. Thematic analysis was used to process data into semantic themes and sub-themes.Results: The total number of students who participated in the study was eight, comprised of five males and three females. The study revealed ChatGPT’s strengths, such as learning enhancement, efficiency, academic support, and generalizability. The weaknesses reported included inaccuracy, ethical problems, and out-of-context responses. Students highlighted academic opportunities like ChatGPT’s potential as a learning support, a self-assessment tool, and an assistant for educators. The study findings validate academic research on the educational benefits and risks that ChatGPT presents. The system provides better learning alongside increased efficiency and research assistance, although it faces significant problems with misinformation in addition to users depending too heavily on the system and the ethical risks.Conclusion: The benefits and limitations of ChatGPT use as experienced by occupational therapy students in their learning and education were explored. Policymakers, academic institutions and educators need to take action toward effective ChatGPT implementation in educational settings. Future integration of artificial intelligence should focus on structured artificial intelligence literacy programs and institutional guidelines to maximize benefits while mitigating risks.Keywords: ChatGPT, ethical integration of AI, occupational therapy students and Saudi Arabia