Self-assessment of university students on the application and potential of Artificial Intelligence for their formation

Abstract

Artificial Intelligence (AI) represents a growing field with a significant impact on the education of students in general. Among the relevant aspects of AI is its ability to simulate real-world situations and problems, providing students with experiences applicable to their future professional careers. However, lack of knowledge or incorrect uses and applications can generate serious problems, and to a certain extent, it exacerbates the gaps for more disadvantaged populations who lack technological resources or internet access. The objective of this article is to determine the opinions of engineering students regarding the mastery and application of AI in this field. A quantitative, cross-sectional methodology was applied through a questionnaire with Likert-type questions, previously validated and administered to 350 students from different engineering majors over the last 3 semesters. The results showed that a significant portion of the participants' responses indicate that AI offers opportunities to improve the education of engineering students, but they lack sufficient knowledge for its application. Furthermore, its implementation requires a careful approach and adequate planning to ensure its effectiveness and benefits.