Exploring Learners Attitude, Benefits and Threats in using Artificial Intelligence Tools in Distance Education

Artificial intelligence (AI) tools are used in all spheres of life. These tools are getting smarter with the passage of time and their use dynamics are also being changed accordingly. It has taken key place in all walks of life especially in distance education. This study aimed to explore the attitude benefits and threats of distance learners in using AI tools. The study was descriptive in nature, having positivist lens followed by a quantitative approach. Survey method was employed for the study. The population comprised students enrolled in B.Ed, MPhil and PhD programs in the faculty of Education at Allama Iqbal Open University. The questionnaire was adopted, shared through google docs and 664 students responded. The data were analyzed through descriptive statistics, ANOVA and t-test to find the difference across gender, program of the study and their age. Findings of this study indicated that students of M.Phil degree reported a greater AI tools benefits than those with B.Ed degree and there were no significance differences in perceived AI tools benefits across age and gender. Both M.Phil and doctoral student showed more positive attitude in using AI tools than B.Ed students and there were no significance difference in attitude with AI tools based on age and gender. Additionally, threats posed by AI tools did not differ significantly by education level, age group and gender. In addition, policymakers should make rules and regulations that protect students privacy, promote digital inclusion, and ensure equitable access to all learners of distance education. Key words: Artificial intelligence, distance learners, attitude, benefit and threat