Inside JE: How do students perceive GenAI?

Generative Artificial Intelligence (GenAI) has been reshaping modern life, in the way we learn, work, and communicate. This technology stands out as a transformative tool that enables machines to create text, images, music, and even code with human-like proficiency. People are having diverse opinion on how it will influence their life, and work. Students wonder how these technologies influence their education and how their career prospects will evolve. While some students embrace GenAI as a revolutionary tool that enhances creativity and efficiency, helping them to go deeper into subjects, others express concerns over job security, ethical implications, and data privacy and dependency. This article examines students' perceptions of GenAI, drawing insights from a research paper and a survey we conducted at the beginning of the year.

Around the world, students are becoming increasingly aware of AI’s growing role in their future careers. Yet, many feel their academic programs don’t provide enough training to develop essential AI-related skills. A study from the University of Salamanca revealed that Economics and Education students, for example, are eager to see GenAI more deeply integrated into their curricula to better match job market expectations. Universities are beginning to address this gap. According to our student poll, nearly half believe AI-related skills should be a core part of their education. In response, institutions are forming partnerships with companies like Microsoft and LinkedIn, offering AI certification programs that help bridge the skills gap. Governments are also working on AI integration in the curricula, recognizing the urgent need for AI education. For example, the UK, Canada, and Singapore have launched national strategies to weave AI and data science into their school and university programs, ensuring students are prepared for a future AI-driven job market.

AI assists students with coursework, but more importantly, it plays a crucial role in preparing students for an evolving job market. AI-driven platforms such as Coursera, Udacity, and LinkedIn Learning provide opportunities for upskilling in data science, coding, and digital literacy, skills increasingly in demand across industries. Being exposed to AI tools at an early stage helps students develop a better understanding of automation and its impact on their careers.

One of the concerns among students is AI’s impact on employment. Many fear massive job losses, but some experts argue that AI will primarily shift jobs rather than eliminate them. A meta-analysis of 127 studies showed that AI-driven productivity gains often lead to net job creation rather than unemployment. Sectors like healthcare, finance, and logistics are already seeing AI-driven transformations. For example, AI enhances some diagnostics in healthcare, improves the fraud detection in finance, and optimizes supply chain management in logistics. Because AI is reshaping many industries, students must acquire new skills to remain competitive in an fast evolving job market. McKinsey shares their estimates that over 30% of the tasks in most jobs could be automated within the next decade. This change underscores the importance of reskilling and upskilling programs to help students adapt to an AI-changing work environment. Universities and policymakers must prioritize AI literacy and digital competencies to prepare the workforce of the future.

As we saw, AI is often viewed through the lens of automation and job loss, but it also opens up new career paths. Emerging roles such as AI ethicists, machine learning engineers, and data scientists are growing in demand. Additionally, AI enhances the efficiency at the workplace, allowing employees to focus on more creative and strategic tasks rather than repetitive work. ESSCA Junior Conseil supports this shift by providing AI-focused knowledge and will keep informing students about AI news, allowing them to gain AI insights.

Students' perceptions of AI vary based on cultural backgrounds. In tech-forward countries like South Korea and Japan, where government policies and the educational curricula reinforce a positive outlook, AI is viewed as a natural progression of innovation, and students are generally optimistic about its benefits. Conversely, in regions that are cautious toward any technological change, such as parts of India, students express greater skepticism because they are concerned about job security and societal inequalities. In Europe, the discussions about AI ethics and data privacy are prevalent, because of that, many students emphasize regulatory safeguards over rapid adoption.

AI has rapidly integrated into students' daily routines through smart devices, but also social media algorithms, and productivity tools. AI-driven platforms exists and they enhance fast learning, streamline task management, while offering real-time assistance for academic work. However, there is a growing concern about AI-dependency. Students who rely a lot on AI for decision-making may experience reduced cognitive engagement and problem-solving skills. Research indicates that prolonged exposure to AI-curated content can impact students' mental health. Concerns about data privacy and digital surveillance really complicate students' relationship with AI-powered technologies.

AI is transforming education, employment, and the daily life. It presents both opportunities and challenges for students worldwide. While many students embrace AI’s potential, some are concerner about its ethics, job security, and over-reliance that must be addressed through education, regulation, and responsible innovation. As AI continues to evolve, students must be equipped not only with technical knowledge but also with critical thinking skills to engage with AI ethically and effectively. By fostering a balanced approach to AI education and governance, we can ensure that the next generation is prepared to shape AI in a way that aligns with human values and societal well-being. ESSCA Junior Conseil plays a vital role in bridging this gap, fostering AI literacy, and providing students with the necessary experience to navigate an AI-driven world.