IMPACT OF ARTIFICIAL INTELLIGENCE (AI) ON RESEARCH PRACTICES AMONG MASS COMMUNICATION STUDENTS AT PRINCE ABUBAKAR AUDU UNIVERSITY,

ABSTRACT This study examined the perception of lecturers from selected departments at Prince Abubakar Audu University, Anyigba, on students’ use of Artificial Intelligence (AI) in academic work. The objectives were to determine the extent to which students use AI tools in research and assignments, assess the perceived benefits, identify the ethical concerns associated with such usage, and explore lecturers’ views on its implications for academic integrity. The study adopted the survey research design, with the population comprising lecturers from the Departments of Theatre Arts, English and Literary Studies, Mass Communication, and Political Science. A total of 376 respondents participated, selected through purposive sampling. Data were collected using structured questionnaires and analyzed using frequency tables and simple percentages. Findings revealed that most students have considerable exposure to AI tools such as ChatGPT, Grammarly, and QuillBot, and use them for tasks like idea generation, grammar correction, and plagiarism checks. Respondents acknowledged benefits including improved efficiency, better-quality assignments, and enhanced creativity. However, ethical concerns were raised, particularly regarding over-reliance on AI, plagiarism, and reduced originality. The study concluded that while AI offers significant advantages for academic work, unchecked usage poses threats to critical thinking and academic standards. It was recommended that the university develop clear policies on AI use, integrate AI literacy into the curriculum, and sensitize students to balance technology use with personal effort and originality. The study further suggested continuous training for lecturers to adapt to evolving digital academic tools.