AI in Education for Smart Manufacturing: Assessing the Readiness and Needs of Students and Teachers in Developing Countries

The rapid digital transformation in society, driven by Industry 4.0 and smart manufacturing, necessitates effective AI education for engineering and technical personnel. Despite the growing prevalence of AI tools like Generative AI (e.g., ChatGPT), adoption in developing countries remains uneven, hindered by limited awareness, infrastructural challenges, and ethical concerns. This study aims to assess the readiness and needs of students and teachers in Russia and Armenia regarding AI integration in education. A survey method was employed, involving over 500 participants from universities in both countries. The results reveal increasing AI usage, particularly among students, but also highlight gaps in awareness, infrastructure, and ethical understanding. These findings point to the need for targeted AI literacy programs, improved infrastructure, and ethical guidelines to facilitate responsible AI integration. Future research should explore long-term trends and culturally specific factors influencing AI adoption to support sustainable educational development in the context of Industry 4.0.