About 70% of Nigeria’s online population used generative Artificial Intelligence (AI) in the past year, compared to the global average, according to a Google IPSOS survey.

There is more: 93% of those Nigerian users applied AI for work and study purposes, to include writing, brainstorming, solving problems and processing complex information.

Like many Nigerian students, I too turned to AI for support in my studies, quite a few times, using it to better understand difficult topics and complete assignments more efficiently. Some other times, I was just too lazy to focus.

The worry is that a sizable number of students in Nigeria could soon suffer a decline in cognitive ability due to the misuse of this availability. For instance, several students in universities now employ AI assistance at every point, even for simple and practical questions that stimulate and make use of the brain, like addition and other basic questions.

To some others, the benefits of AI are clear:  When dealing with complicated topics, AI-powered tools help grasp key concepts and break down difficult materials into manageable chunks.

“Math subjects like Accounting, Business Laws and Economics are not exactly my forte, so I have to do what I can to pass,” said Eniola Arowosafe, a 300-level Business Administrative student at the University of Lagos.

This account mirrors the reality of a number of Nigerian students. And many have proceeded to blame the academic culture in Nigerian universities. “The courses are tough to break down” and “lecturers are not lecturing enough” are both familiar rhetoric. It is seemingly difficult to validate a claim that there aren’t enough study materials, but others feel true. Students argue that the education system fails to teach what the field of study requires, leading many to seek other available means and the uninterrupted use of AI.

People are reminded that before AI, there was YouTube, and students, particularly in STEM, would hop on the platform in search of animations and videos that could graphically explain the theoretical topics taught in class.

However, it has become so apparent that there’s a dark side to AI dependence. Experts warn that relying too heavily on AI can have serious effects, particularly for students who may already be prone to lazy habits.

Prof. Isaac Nwaogwugwu, who teaches Agricultural Economics at Delta State University, shared his concern about the impact of AI on academic integrity.

He said: “Students rely too heavily on AI for assignments, often copying output without thoroughly analysing it.”

“As a lecturer, I’ve seen first-hand the influence of AI tools on students’ learning experiences. I’ve noticed that many students are increasingly relying on AI tools to complete their assignments. While AI can be a useful resource, I’m concerned that some students are using it as a crutch, rather than developing their own critical thinking skills”.

I asked for his thoughts on how this impacts plagiarism in Nigeria, which was already a concern before the advent of AI. His response was absolute, “With AI-generated content, it’s becoming increasingly easy to detect plagiarism. Sometimes you see assignments or projects with unimaginable sentences, so polished and generic that you just straight up know it wasn’t written by the student.”

This yardstick comes with a challenge. It is completely up to the lecturer’s hunch to determine whether or not an assignment is AI-generated. The linguistic abilities of lecturers differ, one from another, and so could the definition of what is ‘polished and generic.’

Grace, a recent university graduate at the University of Abuja, argued that “AI tools could be used to promote critical thinking and learning by encouraging students to analyse and evaluate AI-generated content.”

She said students could be asked to critique AI-generated arguments or identify biases in AI-generated texts, adding that it would help students develop their critical thinking skills while still leveraging the benefits of AI.

Grace shared with me a memory of her attempting to use Meta AI to make her thesis report much better. “It can be very exhausting,” she said, revealing that many students face similar project hurdles in her department.

This mini venture came to a halt when her project supervisor rejected her first submission for a heavy AI imprint. According to him, “If you can’t properly defend your project, then why begin it, and why even bother taking the course?”

Grace continued, “I had to rethink everything and rewrite the project. It was frustrating, but I understood a lot and can now proudly defend my project. After all, it’s all from my head.”

When asked if she felt pressured to use AI tools to meet academic demands, Grace disclosed that it sometimes felt like she was getting left behind, since everyone around her was really into it.

“I have learned that it doesn’t always work the same for everyone,” she concluded. “My learning and understanding of it might vary from another person who already has a hang of it.”

Benefits of AI in Education

• Personalised Learning: AI-powered tools tailor content to individual student needs and learning styles, allowing them to grasp difficult concepts more easily.
• 24/7 Availability: AI-powered chatbots and virtual tutors offer support anytime, helping understand topics outside regular classroom hours.
• Automated Grading: AI simplifies testing and grading procedures, freeing up lecturers and even students during personal study or testing time to access their grades and perform with efficiency.
• Increased Accessibility: AI tools like text-to-speech, speech-to-text, and translation capabilities make learning more accessible for students with disabilities.

When asked if she had ever used AI tools to generate an entire assignment, Eniola admitted she had been tempted to do so, particularly when faced with tight deadlines or overwhelming coursework.

“I have learned that relying solely on AI-generated content can compromise my understanding and academic integrity. I am making a conscious effort to use AI tools responsibly and ensure that I understand the material.”

Cybersecurity transformation expert, Dorcas Akintade, argued that efforts shouldn’t be made to phase out AI in academia but to teach both students and lecturers to use the tools responsibly.

AI literacy is key. We need to ensure that AI enhances, rather than replaces, the human element in education.

I couldn’t agree more. By striking a balance between technology and human interaction, we can create a more effective and engaging education system that prepares students for success in an AI-driven world.

Drawbacks of AI in Education

• Dependence on Technology: Over-reliance on AI may hinder critical thinking and problem-solving skills, as students may need the support of AI systems to navigate challenges every now and again.
• Lack of Human Interaction: AI lacks the ability to understand and respond to students’ emotional needs and also articulate questions without sounding mechanical, which is a significant limitation in the educational context.
• Data Privacy Concerns: Collecting and storing student data raises ethical and security issues, making it essential to ensure better data protection measures.

To this, Professor Nwaogwugwu raises a fair point: “I believe there’s a need to have open discussions with students about the benefits and limitations of AI tools.

“There’s also a need to design assignments and assessments that require critical practical thinking, creativity and original thought, rather than just repeating information, especially during tests and exams.”

He added that doing so would help students develop the mastery they need to succeed in their chosen field and make the most of AI tools in a responsible and effective way.