Abstract
In recent decades, technology has advanced exponentially, ushering in the widespread integration of artificial intelligence (AI) to daily life. AI is now omnipresent, from smart home devices to autonomous vehicles, and it has gained significant traction across various industries. In higher education, educators must adapt to this cultural shift by revising curriculum, learning environments, and teaching methods. AI has the potential to revolutionize higher education but raises concerns about academic integrity. This chapter explores AI's impact on global society, discusses AI-related academic integrity issues, proposes a redefined concept of academic integrity, and offers practical strategies for nurturing students' evolving thinking processes.
TopAi Use In Society
AI is being seen as the next disruptive innovation and will revolutionize the workplaces of the future (Păvăloaia & Necula, 2023). AI has seen massive growth, for example, in the fields of healthcare, finance, management, real estate development, and so much more. It is viewed as an integral driver of the fourth industrial revolution (Zhai et al., 2021). Across all sectors, AI has already improved efficiency, increased accuracy, and reduced costs.
This transformative technology is no longer limited to the realm of futurology but has become an integral part of many organizations' business models and strategic plans across various sectors. AI's impact has sparked academic interest, with studies focusing on its consequences and implications rather than just performance (Dwivedi et al., 2021). AI is defined as systems that mimic human cognitive functions like learning, speech, and problem-solving, and it has the potential to replace or augment human tasks and activities in industries such as finance, healthcare, manufacturing, retail, and more (Păvăloaia & Necula, 2023).
AI has been a major influence in the transformation of current society. It has enabled sectors to collect, process, and analyze large amounts of data at a much faster rate. It has affected all industries and enabled innovations in areas such as technology, business processes, manufacturing, and communication (Francesc, 2019). It has come into all aspects of societal life, for example, the use of AI in smartphone technology with personal assistance such as Google Assistant, Siri, to smart home systems. These AI-powered technologies and others are being enhanced to offer more personalized recommendations and services and improve user experience.
While AI presents numerous opportunities, there are also challenges and considerations to address. Society is still grappling with the ethical and economic implications of AI and big data, including their impact on human life, culture, sustainability, and technological transformation. The World Economic Forum predicts that AI technologies could impact up to 20% of existing jobs in the UK and even more in emerging economies like China and India (Dwivedi et al., 2021). However, AI is also expected to drive innovation, economic growth, and the creation of new jobs globally.
Key Terms in this Chapter
Creative Thinking: The ability to generate innovative ideas, approaches, and solutions by thinking outside traditional boundaries and embracing originality.
Soft Skills: Interpersonal and personal attributes, including communication, teamwork, adaptability, empathy, and problem-solving, that enhance interactions and effectiveness in both academic and professional contexts.
Academic Integrity: Upholding honesty and ethical conduct in academic work, including proper citation, originality, and avoiding plagiarism.
Experiential Learning: An educational approach that emphasizes hands-on, practical experiences as a primary method of Learning, promoting active engagement and skill development.
Artificial Intelligence: Refers to the development of computer systems and software that can perform tasks that typically require human intelligence.
Critical Thinking: The capacity to analyze, evaluate, and synthesize information and ideas systematically, enabling effective problem-solving and decision-making.
Collaborative Teams: Groups of individuals working together to achieve common goals, share ideas, and leverage collective expertise to solve problems or complete tasks.