Is AI an Effective “Learning Tool” in Academic Writing? Investigating the Perceptions of Third-Year University Students on the Use of Artificial Intelligence in Classroom Instruction

Artificial intelligence is widely known around the world and is used in different human fields –from banking and finance to education. However, in the field of education, little is known about its use the Philippine education context. Adopting the Technology Acceptance Model (TAM), this study determined and analyzed the perception of third-year university students on the use of artificial intelligence as a “learning tool” in academic writing. It employed a descriptive-quantitative research design with a 12-item survey questionnaire that was used to measure the perceptions on the three different aspects related to the usage of artificial intelligence in academic writing among the third-year students from four different colleges of a southwestern Philippine university. The findings of the study revealed that the participants had an overall positive disposition towards the usage of AI in academic writing in terms of its perceived use, perceived ease of use, as well as attitude toward usage. The findings further suggest that these university students demonstrate both awareness and readiness on the utilization of artificial intelligence in their academic writing.