The Impact of AI on Education and Careers: US Students’ Perceptions

Authors

DOI:

https://doi.org/10.5281/zenodo.23369195

Keywords:

Artificial Intelligence (AI), Higher Education, Student Perception

Abstract

The growing use of Artificial Intelligence (AI) tools in higher education and the workplace has sparked both optimism and concern among educators, policymakers, and employers. These changes directly affect students, but their voices receive less attention than those of faculty members and institutions. This study examines key aspects of student-AI interaction, including familiarity, usage patterns, and perceived career impact. The study used a qualitative design based on semi-structured interviews. Respondents included six undergraduate students in the business administration department of a major state college in Nebraska, USA. The thematic analysis revealed two main themes. The findings suggest that students hold a cautious but positive view of AI. They support clear institutional guidelines and a more deliberate effort to include AI literacy in coursework. The findings have significant implications for stakeholders seeking to enhance learning and prepare students for future careers where AI plays a major role.

Downloads

Download data is not yet available.

References

American Association of Colleges and Universities. (2026, January 21). National survey: 95% of college faculty fear student overreliance on AI and diminished critical thinking among learners who use generative AI tools. https://www.aacu.org/newsroom/national-survey-95-of-college-faculty-fear-student-overreliance-on-ai-and-diminished-critical-thinking-among-learners-who-use-generative-ai-tools

Braun, V., & Clarke, V. (2006). Using thematic analysis in psychology. Qualitative Research in Psychology, 3(2), 77–101. https://doi.org/10.1191/1478088706qp063oa

Chan, C. K. Y. (2023). A comprehensive AI policy education framework for university teaching and learning. International journal of educational technology in higher education, 20(1), 38.

Chan, C. K. Y., & Hu, W. (2023). Students’ voices on generative AI: Perceptions, benefits, and challenges in higher education. International journal of educational technology in higher education, 20(1), 43.

Choudhuri, R., Sanchez, C. A., Burnett, M., & Sarma, A. (2026). Thinking less, trusting more: GenAI’s impacts on students’ cognitive habits. Information and Software Technology. Advance online publication. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.infsof.2026.108346

Complete College America. (2023). The AI divide: Equitable applications of AI in higher education to advance the completion agenda. https://files.eric.ed.gov/fulltext/ED633824.pdf

Cotton, D. R., Cotton, P. A., & Shipway, J. R. (2024). Chatting and cheating: Ensuring academic integrity in the era of ChatGPT. Innovations in education and teaching international, 61(2), 228-239.

Crompton, H., & Burke, D. (2023). Artificial intelligence in higher education: The state of the field. International journal of educational technology in higher education, 20(1), 22.

Cuban, L. (2001). Oversold and underused: Computers in the classroom. Harvard University Press.

Farrokhnia, M., Banihashem, S. K., Noroozi, O., & Wals, A. (2024). A SWOT analysis of ChatGPT: Implications for educational practice and research. Innovations in Education and Teaching International, 61(3), 460–474. https://doi.org/10.1080/14703297.2023.2195846

Fawaz, M., El-Malti, W., Alreshidi, S. M., & Kavuran, E. (2025). Exploring health sciences students' perspectives on using generative artificial intelligence in higher education: A qualitative study. Nursing & Health Sciences, 27(1), e70030. https://doi.org/10.1111/nhs.70030

Francis, N. J., Jones, S., & Smith, D. P. (2025). Generative AI in higher education: Balancing innovation and integrity. British Journal of Biomedical Science, 81, 14048.

Johnston, H., Wells, R. F., Shanks, E. M., Boey, T., & Parsons, B. N. (2024). Student perspectives on the use of generative artificial intelligence technologies in higher education. International Journal for Educational Integrity, 20(1), 2.

Jose, B., Cherian, J., Verghis, A. M., Varghise, S. M., S, M., & Joseph, S. (2025). The cognitive paradox of AI in education: Between enhancement and erosion. Frontiers in Psychology, 16, 1550621.

Lo, C. K. (2023). What is the impact of ChatGPT on education? A rapid review of the literature. Education sciences, 13(4), 410.

Miao, F., & Holmes, W. (2023). Guidance for generative AI in education and research. UNESCO. https://unesdoc.unesco.org/ark:/48223/pf0000386693

Mimoudi, A. (2025). Generative AI to bridge the educational divide: Personalized learning and challenges. Social Sciences & Humanities Open, 12, 102140.

Organization for Economic Co-operation and Development. (2023). OECD employment outlook 2023: Artificial intelligence and the labor market. OECD Publishing. https://doi.org/10.1787/08785bba-en

Risko, E. F., & Gilbert, S. J. (2016). Cognitive offloading. Trends in Cognitive Sciences, 20(9), 676-688.

Selwyn, N. (2011). Education and technology: Key issues and debates. A&C Black.

Tian, J., & Zhang, R. (2025). Learners' AI dependence and critical thinking: The psychological mechanism of fatigue and the social buffering role of AI literacy. Acta Psychologica, 260, 105725.

Warschauer, M. (2003). Technology and social inclusion: Rethinking the digital divide. MIT Press.

World Economic Forum. (2025). The future of jobs report 2025. https://www.weforum.org/publications/the-future-of-jobs-report-2025/

Downloads

Published

14-10-2026

How to Cite

The Impact of AI on Education and Careers: US Students’ Perceptions. (2026). Journal of Advanced Studies in Social Sciences, 4(2). https://doi.org/10.5281/zenodo.23369195