AI Editorial
AI Editorial
Abstract
The proliferation of artificial intelligence (AI) technologies and chatbots has the potential to
significantly reshape higher education. It is now imperative for stakeholders in this sector to grasp
the fundamental aspects of AI technologies and understand their implications. This paper not only
introduces basic AI concepts but also explains their specific applications and relevance in the
higher education context. Moreover, it outlines the prospects of using AI technologies and
chatbots to boost student engagement, presenting a synthesis of the opportunities available.
Concurrently, we discuss the concerns and challenges associated with integrating AI into higher
education settings. Several articles included in this special issue explore these opportunities and
challenges from diverse viewpoints and within various contexts, across countries such as
Australia, the United Kingdom, Vietnam, Cyprus, and GCC nations. Finally, we propose several
avenues for future research aimed at enhancing student engagement through AI, charting a path
forward for empirical evidence and practical application of AI and chatbots in enhancing student
engagement.
Citation
Nguyen, A., Kremantzis, M., Essien, A., Petrounias, I., & Hosseini, S. (2024). Enhancing Student Engagement Through Artificial
Intelligence (AI): Understanding the Basics, Opportunities, and Challenges. Journal of University Teaching and Learning
Practice, 21(6).
Enhancing Student Engagement Through Artificial Intelligence (AI):
Understanding the Basics, Opportunities, and Challenges
Introduction
The invasion of digital technology into higher education, spanning several decades, has been met
with both enthusiasm and skepticism, characterised by challenges such as user resistance, lack
of necessary skills, policy complications, and ethical and privacy concerns (Essien et al., 2024;
Nguyen, Gardner, et al., 2020). Despite these hurdles, the disruptive potential of emerging
technologies like Artificial Intelligence (AI) is undeniable (Crawford, Cowling, & Allen, 2023; Kelly
et al., 2023; Lodge et al., 2023), offering new horizons for learning and teaching practices. While
these technologies offer great promise, educators and institutions will need to overcome
significant obstacles for successful implementation (Crawford, Cowling, & Allen, 2023; Perkins,
2023). This requires strategies that bridge skill gaps, carefully consider ethical implications, and
ensure alignment with existing policies (Nguyen et al., 2023). The recent advancements in AI,
particularly with generative AI, emphasise the transformative impact on higher education, raising
critical questions about the future of learning and teaching with AI technologies.
The recognition of AI technology's potential in higher education predates the public introduction
of generative AI models such as ChatGPT by OpenAI, highlighting the evolving landscape of
educational technology and its implications for learning and teaching. Nguyen et al. (2020)
highlighted the capacity of AI to unveil critical indicators previously overlooked by stakeholders at
various levels of the educational hierarchy, suggesting a transformative role for AI in shaping
strategic decisions and educational outcomes. Furthermore, the comprehensive review by
Zawacki-Richter et al. (2019) emphasised AI's potential in facilitating adaptive learning systems,
personalisation, and intelligent tutoring systems, underscoring the technology's capability to cater
to diverse learning needs and styles. These advancements demonstrate the potential for a
revolutionary change in education, creating learner-centred environments that could significantly
boost student engagement. However, the deployment of AI in educational contexts also
introduces ethical concerns, including data privacy, bias in AI algorithms, and the implications of
AI-mediated interactions on the student learning experience (Essien et al., 2024). These issues
require a thoughtful and considered strategy for incorporating AI technologies in higher education,
ensuring that their advantages are achieved while mitigating potential risks and prioritizing ethical
practices and student welfare (Holmes et al., 2021; Nguyen et al., 2023).
This editorial introduction, as well as the entirety of the Journal of University Teaching & Learning
Practice (JUTLP) special issue titled “Enhancing Student Engagement using Artificial Intelligence
(AI) and chatbots like ChatGPT” aims to provide university stakeholders with a comprehensive
overview and multifaceted perspectives on both the opportunities and challenges presented by
AI technology in elevating student engagement within higher education. This initiative seeks to
discuss the transformative potential of AI in creating more personalised, adaptive, and engaging
learning experiences, while also addressing the ethical, practical, and pedagogical challenges
that accompany the integration of such advanced technologies into educational settings. Through
a series of articles and studies, the special issue intends to spark a rich dialogue among
educators, policymakers, technologists, and scholars, encouraging a collaborative exploration of
how AI can be leveraged to foster a more engaging and effective educational environment. By
showcasing diverse viewpoints and cutting-edge research, the special issue aspires to inform and
inspire stakeholders across the spectrum of higher education to navigate the complexities of AI
adoption and to harness its full potential for enhancing student engagement.
Alongside summarising the contributions of this special issue, this introductory article provides a
basic understanding of AI in higher education. It explores its potential to enhance student
engagement and addresses the accompanying concerns and challenges. Additionally, the article
proposes several research directions for AI in higher education and calls for further investigation
into this evolving field. By outlining key areas for future research, the introduction encourages
academics and practitioners to explore how AI can be effectively integrated to improve
educational outcomes while navigating the complexities of its adoption in academic environments.
Acknowledgements
The author(s) disclose that they have no actual or perceived conflicts of interest. This research
has been funded by the Research Council of Finland (aka. Academy of Finland) grants 350249,
and the University of Oulu profiling project Profi7 Hybrid Intelligence - 352788. During the
preparation of this work, the first author used OpenAI's GPT-4 tool for text editing but after utilizing
this tool, the first author reviewed and edited the content as needed and took full responsibility for
the publication's content, ensuring compliance with the principles set forth by Crawford, Cowling,
Ashton-Hay, et al (2023). The authors list the following CRediT contributions: Andy Nguyen:
Conceptualization, Investigation, Writing - Original Draft; Marios Kremantzis: Writing - Review &
Editing, Project administration; Aniekan Essien: Project administration; Ilias Petrounias: Project
administration; Samira Hosseini: Project administration.
References
Baker, R. S., & Hawn, A. (2021). Algorithmic Bias in Education. International Journal of Artificial
Intelligence in Education. https://doi.org/10.1007/s40593-021-00285-9
Crawford, J., Cowling, M., & Allen, K.-A. (2023). Leadership is needed for ethical ChatGPT:
Character, assessment, and learning using artificial intelligence (AI). Journal of
University Teaching & Learning Practice, 20(3). https://doi.org/10.53761/1.20.3.02
Crawford, J., Cowling, M., Ashton-Hay, S., Kelder, J.-A., Middleton, R., & Wilson, G. (2023).
Artificial Intelligence and Authorship Editor Policy: ChatGPT, Bard Bing AI, and beyond.
Journal of University Teaching & Learning Practice, 20(5).
https://doi.org/10.53761/1.20.5.01
Denny, J. C., Spickard, A., Speltz, P. J., Porier, R., Rosenstiel, D. E., & Powers, J. S. (2015).
Using natural language processing to provide personalized learning opportunities from
trainee clinical notes. Journal of Biomedical Informatics, 56, 292–299.
https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jbi.2015.06.004
Dwivedi, Y. K., Kshetri, N., Hughes, L., Slade, E. L., Jeyaraj, A., Kar, A. K., Baabdullah, A. M.,
Koohang, A., Raghavan, V., Ahuja, M., Albanna, H., Albashrawi, M. A., Al-Busaidi, A. S.,
Balakrishnan, J., Barlette, Y., Basu, S., Bose, I., Brooks, L., Buhalis, D., … Wright, R.
(2023). “So what if ChatGPT wrote it?” Multidisciplinary perspectives on opportunities,
challenges and implications of generative conversational AI for research, practice and
policy. International Journal of Information Management, 71, 102642.
https://doi.org/10.1016/j.ijinfomgt.2023.102642
Enriquez, G., Gill, V., Campano, G., Flores, T. T., Jones, S., Leander, K. M., McKnight, L., &
Price-Dennis, D. (2023). Generative AI and composing: An intergenerational
conversation among literacy scholars. English Teaching: Practice & Critique, ahead-of-
print(ahead-of-print). https://doi.org/10.1108/ETPC-08-2023-0104
Essien, A., Bukoye, O. T., O’Dea, X., & Kremantzis, M. (2024). The influence of AI text
generators on critical thinking skills in UK business schools. Studies in Higher Education,
0(0), 1–18. https://doi.org/10.1080/03075079.2024.2316881
Fan, Y., Tan, Y., Raković, M., Wang, Y., Cai, Z., Shaffer, D. W., & Gašević, D. (2023).
Dissecting learning tactics in MOOC using ordered network analysis. Journal of
Computer Assisted Learning, 39(1), 154–166. https://doi.org/10.1111/jcal.12735
Gray, C. C., & Perkins, D. (2019). Utilizing early engagement and machine learning to predict
student outcomes. Computers & Education, 131, 22–32.
https://doi.org/10.1016/j.compedu.2018.12.006
Holmes, W., Porayska-Pomsta, K., Holstein, K., Sutherland, E., Baker, T., Shum, S. B., Santos,
O. C., Rodrigo, M. T., Cukurova, M., Bittencourt, I. I., & Koedinger, K. R. (2021). Ethics
of AI in Education: Towards a Community-Wide Framework. International Journal of
Artificial Intelligence in Education. https://doi.org/10.1007/s40593-021-00239-1
Hsieh, T.-C., Wang, T.-I., Su, C.-Y., & Lee, M.-C. (2012). A fuzzy logic-based personalized
learning system for supporting adaptive English learning. Educational Technology and
Society, 15(1), 273–288.
Järvelä, S., Nguyen, A., & Hadwin, A. (2023). Human and artificial intelligence collaboration for
socially shared regulation in learning. British Journal of Educational Technology.
https://doi.org/10.1111/bjet.13325
Kasneci, E., Sessler, K., Küchemann, S., Bannert, M., Dementieva, D., Fischer, F., Gasser, U.,
Groh, G., Günnemann, S., Hüllermeier, E., Krusche, S., Kutyniok, G., Michaeli, T.,
Nerdel, C., Pfeffer, J., Poquet, O., Sailer, M., Schmidt, A., Seidel, T., … Kasneci, G.
(2023). ChatGPT for good? On opportunities and challenges of large language models
for education. Learning and Individual Differences, 103, 102274.
https://doi.org/10.1016/j.lindif.2023.102274
Kelly, A., Sullivan, M., & Strampel, K. (2023). Generative artificial intelligence: University student
awareness, experience, and confidence in use across disciplines. Journal of University
Teaching & Learning Practice, 20(6). https://doi.org/10.53761/1.20.6.12
Kishore, S., Hong, Y., Nguyen, Andy, & Qutab, Saima. (2023). Should ChatGPT be Banned at
Schools? Organizing Visions for Generative Artificial Intelligence (AI) in Education.
International Conference on Information Systems (ICIS).
https://aisel.aisnet.org/icis2023/learnandiscurricula/learnandiscurricula/5
Lodge, J., Barba, P. de, & Broadbent, J. (2023). Learning with Generative Artificial Intelligence
Within a Network of Co-Regulation. Journal of University Teaching & Learning Practice,
20(7). https://doi.org/10.53761/1.20.7.02
Mousavinasab, E., Zarifsanaiey, N., R. Niakan Kalhori, S., Rakhshan, M., Keikha, L., & Ghazi
Saeedi, M. (2021). Intelligent tutoring systems: A systematic review of characteristics,
applications, and evaluation methods. Interactive Learning Environments, 29(1), 142–
163. https://doi.org/10.1080/10494820.2018.1558257
Nguyen, A., Gardner, L., & Sheridan, D. (2018). A framework for applying learning analytics in
serious games for people with intellectual disabilities. British Journal of Educational
Technology, 49(4), 673–689. https://doi.org/10.1111/bjet.12625
Nguyen, A., Gardner, L., & Sheridan, D. (2020). Data Analytics in Higher Education: An
Integrated View. Journal of Information Systems Education, 31(1), 61–71.
Nguyen, A., Hong, Y., Dang, B., & Huang, X. (2024). Human-AI collaboration patterns in AI-
assisted academic writing. Studies in Higher Education, 0(0), 1–18.
https://doi.org/10.1080/03075079.2024.2323593
Nguyen, A., Hong, Y., & Gardner, L. (2020, May 13). A Taxonomy of Digital Learning Activities
for Digital Inclusion. Proceedings of the 28th European Conference on Information
Systems (ECIS). https://aisel.aisnet.org/ecis2020_rp/135
Nguyen, A., Järvelä, S., Wang, Y., & Róse, C. (2022). Exploring Socially Shared Regulation with
an AI Deep Learning Approach Using Multimodal Data. Proceedings of International
Conferences of Learning Sciences (ICLS). https://2022.isls.org/proceedings/
Nguyen, A., Ngo, H. N., Hong, Y., Dang, B., & Nguyen, B.-P. T. (2023). Ethical principles for
artificial intelligence in education. Education and Information Technologies, 28(4), 4221–
4241. https://doi.org/10.1007/s10639-022-11316-w
Ninaus, M., Greipl, S., Kiili, K., Lindstedt, A., Huber, S., Klein, E., Karnath, H.-O., & Moeller, K.
(2019). Increased emotional engagement in game-based learning – A machine learning
approach on facial emotion detection data. Computers & Education, 142, 103641.
https://doi.org/10.1016/j.compedu.2019.103641
Perkins, M. (2023). Academic Integrity considerations of AI Large Language Models in the post-
pandemic era: ChatGPT and beyond. Journal of University Teaching & Learning
Practice, 20(2). https://doi.org/10.53761/1.20.02.07
Raj, N. S., & Renumol, V. G. (2022). Early prediction of student engagement in virtual learning
environments using machine learning techniques. E-Learning and Digital Media, 19(6),
537–554. https://doi.org/10.1177/20427530221108027
Strobl, C., Ailhaud, E., Benetos, K., Devitt, A., Kruse, O., Proske, A., & Rapp, C. (2019). Digital
support for academic writing: A review of technologies and pedagogies. Computers &
Education, 131, 33–48.
Tchounikine, P., Rummel, N., & McLaren, B. M. (2010). Computer Supported Collaborative
Learning and Intelligent Tutoring Systems. In R. Nkambou, J. Bourdeau, & R. Mizoguchi
(Eds.), Advances in Intelligent Tutoring Systems (pp. 447–463). Springer.
https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-642-14363-2_22
Tzirakis, P., Trigeorgis, G., Nicolaou, M. A., Schuller, B. W., & Zafeiriou, S. (2017). End-to-End
Multimodal Emotion Recognition Using Deep Neural Networks. IEEE Journal of Selected
Topics in Signal Processing, 11(8), 1301–1309.
https://doi.org/10.1109/JSTSP.2017.2764438
Whitehead, R., Nguyen, A., & Järvelä, S. (2024). The Generative Multimodal Analysis (GMA)
Methodology for Studying Socially Shared Regulation in Collaborative Learning. The
International Conference on Learning Analytics & Knowledge (LAK24).
https://www.researchgate.net/profile/Ridwan-
Whitehead/publication/378964778_The_Generative_Multimodal_Analysis_GMA_Method
ology_for_Studying_Socially_Shared_Regulation_in_Collaborative_Learning/links/65f34f
211f0aec67e28fd7d9/The-Generative-Multimodal-Analysis-GMA-Methodology-for-
Studying-Socially-Shared-Regulation-in-Collaborative-Learning.pdf
Xie, H., Chu, H.-C., Hwang, G.-J., & Wang, C.-C. (2019). Trends and development in
technology-enhanced adaptive/personalized learning: A systematic review of journal
publications from 2007 to 2017. Computers & Education, 140, 103599.
https://doi.org/10.1016/j.compedu.2019.103599
Zawacki-Richter, O., Marín, V. I., Bond, M., & Gouverneur, F. (2019). Systematic review of
research on artificial intelligence applications in higher education – where are the
educators? International Journal of Educational Technology in Higher Education, 16(1),
39. https://doi.org/10.1186/s41239-019-0171-0
Zheng, L., Zhong, L., Niu, J., Long, M., & Zhao, J. (2021). Effects of Personalized Intervention
on Collaborative Knowledge Building, Group Performance, Socially Shared
Metacognitive Regulation, and Cognitive Load in Computer-Supported Collaborative
Learning. Educational Technology & Society, 24(3), 174–193.