Muscat: Dr. Fatima bint Abdullah Al-Muqbali, Dean of Graduate Studies at the University of Technology and Applied Sciences, highlighted AI’s potential to tailor educational experiences for students. From refining study skills to personalized learning, AI applications allow students to define their goals and choose educational tools that suit their academic needs. AI can also ensure the content’s quality and provide real-time performance feedback, enabling students to enhance their learning process.

However, she warned about ethical issues, such as privacy concerns and algorithmic bias, that could erode trust in AI-driven systems and negatively impact the learner’s identity. Dr. Al-Muqbali emphasized the importance of selecting cost-effective and user-friendly applications while ensuring data security and privacy.

While AI systems offer enhanced learning opportunities, they raise questions about academic integrity and social interaction. Dr. Muammar bin Ali Al-Tubi, an AI specialist, noted that the digital age has blurred educational ethical lines since the 1990s. Today’s smart applications, like generative AI, are seen as both beneficial and risky. He advocated establishing clear educational quality standards to mitigate these risks, comparing AI tools to search engines that must be ethically integrated into academia.

Dr. Ali bin Saeed Al-Matari, a mathematics teacher at the University of Eastern Province, expressed concerns over academic cheating facilitated by AI. He emphasized the need for new assessment methods to accurately gauge students’ skills and encouraged educational institutions to keep pace with rapid technological advancements.

Dr. Al-Tubi and Dr. Al-Matari agreed on one key point: AI’s overuse could hamper students’ critical thinking and creative abilities. AI’s role in the collection of personal data and potential biases could widen the gap between students with technological access and those without, fostering a sense of social injustice.

While AI holds immense promise in revolutionizing university education, experts stress that its integration must be governed by ethical standards and quality measures to ensure its effectiveness and fairness.