FEEDBACK IN THE ERA OF GENERATIVE AI AN EXPLORATIVE FOCUS GROUP STUDY OF STUDENT AND EDUCATOR PERSPECTIVES IN HIGHER EDUCATION

ABSTRACT The rapid rise of generative AI technologies, such as ChatGPT, has sparked significant interest in their application in higher education, particularly in the realm of feedback. This study explores the perspectives of both students and educators on the use of AI-generated feedback alongside traditional human feedback. Utilizing a qualitative approach, focus group interviews were conducted to gather insights on the perceived benefits, limitations, and ethical concerns surrounding AI tools in educational feedback processes. The thematic analysis of the data revealed three major themes: Instrumental Feedback vs Holistic Feedback, Emotional and Relational Impact of Feedback, and Ethical Concerns and Risks. While AI-generated feedback was found to be effective in addressing lower-order concerns like grammar and syntax, it lacks the depth and emotional intelligence of human feedback, which remains crucial for addressing higher-order concerns such as critical thinking, creativity, and personal growth. Ethical issues related to data privacy, bias, and transparency were also highlighted as significant concerns by both students and educators. The study concludes that AI can complement but not replace human feedback, and it offers recommendations for the balanced integration of AI in higher education, emphasizing the need for clear guidelines, transparency, and bias mitigation to ensure ethical and effective use of AI technologies.