Risks of AI Development According to University Professors

How teachers use neural networks

According to the survey, more than 61% respondents use generative AI in their teaching. These data confirm the results of similar studies conducted in various countries, including Russia. For example, in 2023, approximately half of Tomsk State University faculty reported using generative neural networks at least once in their professional work. The use of generative AI in the educational process opens up new opportunities to improve the quality of learning and increase the effectiveness of teaching.

When asked about how exactly they use artificial intelligence, respondents noted the following use cases for AI technologies.

create educational materials (75%);
perform administrative tasks (58%);
train students to use AI (50%);
engage students in class (45%);
check student work for plagiarism (28%);
grade student work (24%).

Students express concerns about the excessive use of artificial intelligence in the educational process, according to the results of a survey by the Council for Digital Education. They doubt the quality of courses created with AI and are particularly concerned about possible unfair grading by neural networks. In turn, teachers confirm that they rarely trust AI to test students' knowledge, more often using artificial intelligence to generate educational content.

Reading is an important part of our lives, as it enriches knowledge and broadens horizons. In today's world, access to information has become easier thanks to the internet. Read books, articles, and blogs to develop your skills and understanding of various topics. Remember the importance of critical thinking when analyzing what you read. Regular reading promotes better comprehension and improves concentration. Read every day to get the most out of it.

AI assistants in education have significantly expanded their capabilities and can now perform a variety of tasks. They support the learning process by providing personalized recommendations and adaptive learning plans, allowing students to master the material at their own pace. AI assistants can analyze students' knowledge levels, identify weaknesses, and suggest additional resources to address them.

Furthermore, such technologies can automate routine tasks such as checking homework and grading tests, freeing up teachers' time for more creative and interactive work with students. AI can also provide access to educational materials in multiple languages, making learning more inclusive.

The introduction of AI assistants into the educational process not only increases its effectiveness but also makes it more accessible and personalized. Thus, AI technologies are becoming an important tool in modern education, contributing to the improvement of the quality of teaching and student achievement.

Teachers use artificial intelligence to solve their problems with some caution. According to research, only 34% of teachers use AI sparingly, and 43% use it moderately. A significant number of teachers, approximately 40%, never use neural networks, even for administrative tasks. At the same time, the results of a similar survey among Russian teachers show that only 24% have never used neural networks in their professional activities. This demonstrates differences in approaches to the implementation of technology in the educational process.

The most common reason why many do not use neural networks is a lack of awareness of their capabilities. Surveys show that 40% of respondents report a lack of time or resources to study artificial intelligence, and 38% are unsure how to integrate AI into their professional work. As a result, many teachers are unaware of how neural networks can significantly improve their effectiveness. This is confirmed by self-assessments of their AI skills: 43% consider their knowledge to be average, and 37% consider themselves beginners. Raising awareness of the potential of neural networks could facilitate their more active implementation in the educational process.

Most faculty are willing to integrate artificial intelligence into their practice if their institutions provide training in AI technologies (64%) and free access to tools (65%). Clear guidelines on the acceptable use of AI in universities (50%) and access to successful examples from colleagues (60%) are also important. English: The integration of artificial intelligence into the educational process can significantly improve the quality of education and make it more effective.

At the moment, according to respondents, the situation with available resources for training in AI technologies at universities leaves much to be desired.

Only 20% confidently noted that they were provided with a comprehensive guide on the use of AI;
21% know what can and cannot be done at the university using AI;
22% have access to resources for training teachers at the university.

What teachers expect from generative AI in the future

According to the survey, only 9% of respondents believe that the role of the teacher will remain unchanged with the development of generative neural networks. At the same time, 46% of participants expect significant changes in their professional responsibilities, and 27% - moderate changes. More than 18% believe the teaching profession will undergo a real transformation. This demonstrates the growing influence of technology on the educational process and the need for teachers to adapt to new conditions.

Among those who expect moderate changes in education, 37% confidently state a clear understanding of the future professional role of teachers. However, most respondents are able to describe only certain aspects of the upcoming changes or cannot clearly define what exactly will change in their profession.

Future changes in the role of teachers are a complex issue. For over a year, experiments have been conducted at Tyumen State University to identify teaching functions that can be partially performed by artificial intelligence. The results of these experiments depend not only on the technological capabilities of neural networks but also on many other factors, including pedagogical approaches and interactions between teachers and students. Thus, it is important to consider how technology can be integrated into the educational process and what changes this may bring to the role of the teacher.

Students show little enthusiasm for interacting with chatbots instead of teachers, despite the fact that education has not been completely transferred to a digital format. Courses continue to employ assistants and moderators to help with projects and facilitate discussions. Moreover, students generally do not benefit from interacting with artificial intelligence, as they do not know how to formulate precise questions that a chatbot could provide useful answers to.

A survey by the Digital Education Council discussed specific issues regarding changes to the assessment system at universities. 54% of participants agreed that the widespread use of neural networks requires a new approach to student assessment, of which 13% believe that changes are urgently needed. 36% of respondents expressed a more cautious opinion, noting that some changes are still necessary. Only 10% of participants did not see grounds for urgent reforms in the assessment system.

What do teachers see as the main problems with AI?

According to the survey, more than half of teachers (57%) express a positive attitude toward neural networks. Thirty percent of respondents are neutral, while only 13% have a negative opinion of this technology. Similarly, the survey showed that 51% of teachers do not consider neural networks a threat to their jobs. Thirty-one percent of respondents are unprepared to make predictions on this issue, and only 18% are confident that artificial intelligence will be able to replace teachers. These data highlight the growing interest in the implementation of AI technologies in the educational process and the need to discuss their impact on the teaching profession.

Data source: Digital Education Council Infographics: Skillbox Media

Data source: Digital Education Council Infographics: Skillbox Media

Global labor market studies note that the demand for teachers will only grow, despite the development of artificial intelligence. This is due to opposing demographic trends. In countries of the Global South, where birth rates are high, the number of students in schools and colleges and universities is increasing. At the same time, in regions with aging populations, the need to train adult workers for new skills is growing. Thus, the role of teachers remains key in education and professional training, underscoring the importance of their work in the modern context.

The study's authors identified an interesting pattern: the impact of artificial intelligence and its associated risks are perceived differently by teachers depending on their level of skill in this area. Teachers who are beginning to master AI are less likely to believe changes in assessment methods are necessary and are also confident that these changes will lead to a transformation of the educational process—only about 50% of them support this point of view. At the same time, teachers with advanced AI skills are more likely to say that changes are necessary: about 70% of them are confident in the positive impact of changes on teaching. This difference in perception underscores the importance of advanced training and education in AI for the effective integration of new technologies into the educational process.

Teachers with high skills in AI do not perceive neural networks as a threat to their jobs. According to data, 63% of experienced professionals do not believe that AI can replace them, compared to only 45% of beginners. This suggests that experience with AI gives teachers confidence that the profession will evolve but remain in demand. In contrast, teachers who do not use AI or use it to a limited extent are more likely to express concerns about its impact on their work.

Among the reasons why some respondents refuse to use AI in the educational process, criticism of this technology is given considerable attention. Users' opinions about potential drawbacks of AI, such as the lack of human interaction and possible learning errors, play a significant role in shaping their position. This criticism highlights the need for careful analysis and a balanced approach to the implementation of artificial intelligence in teaching. Developing effective strategies that consider both the benefits and limitations of AI can promote wider adoption of this technology in education.

32% of respondents said they were concerned about the potential negative impact of AI;
25% said they saw more risks than benefits in its use;
24% simply saw no benefit.

Teachers do not have significant concerns about their profession, but they do express serious concerns about the impact of generative neural networks on the educational process. In the survey, 83% of participants noted that students do not know how to critically evaluate content generated by artificial intelligence. Furthermore, 82% of respondents expressed concern that students will begin to rely too much on AI, which could lead to a decrease in their independent learning and critical thinking skills.

Since the introduction of ChatGPT, educators at various levels have increasingly voiced their concerns. Many experts argue that the use of digital technologies, including artificial intelligence, negatively impacts memory and imagination, requiring more active training of these skills. Some also argue that the introduction of generative models exacerbates this problem. It is important to recognize that a balance between technological innovations and traditional teaching methods is paramount for the development of students' cognitive abilities.

Read also:

A Nobel laureate argues that essays generated by ChatGPT demonstrate incorrect thinking approaches to students. He believes that using artificial intelligence to write academic papers can lead to a superficial understanding of topics and hinder the development of critical thinking. Students, by relying on automated text generation, risk losing their skills in independent analysis and argumentation. This underscores the importance of active student engagement in the learning process and the need for a mindful approach to learning. It's crucial to develop the ability to deeply analyze and formulate their own ideas, rather than relying on ready-made solutions provided by technology.

Alexey Lopatin, head of a department at the Kazan National Research Technical University named after A.N. Tupolev, in his column for Business Online, highlighted the important issue of using neural networks in the educational process. He noted that students often mindlessly accept information provided by artificial intelligence, which leads to a superficial assimilation of knowledge. This creates a false impression of ease of learning and may lead students to believe that this approach is the norm. At the same time, IT professionals are beginning to recognize that overreliance on neural networks for coding can negatively impact the development of core developer skills. Traditionally, these skills were developed through independent problem-solving, which fostered a deeper understanding of programming and its principles. It is important to recognize that successful education requires active engagement and critical thinking, not just relying on AI tools.

Photo: Gorodenkoff / Shutterstock

A recent study by Chinese scientists summarized various data regarding the impact of ChatGPT on student performance. The results were mixed, but overall, there is a trend for students to become less diligent and put less effort into their studies. This may lead to a decline in the quality of education and a decrease in critical thinking among students. It is important to note that, despite the usefulness of technology, it should not replace traditional teaching methods and active student engagement in the learning process.

Despite concerns, the majority of teachers surveyed by the Digital Education Council do not expect to ban students from using neural networks. According to surveys, the number of students regularly accessing these tools is rapidly increasing. In the UK, according to 2025 data, 92% of university students admitted to using neural networks, while the year before, this figure was only 66%. It's important to note that the use of neural networks is becoming an integral part of the educational process, highlighting the need for educators to adapt to new technologies. Teachers have different approaches to the perception of AI content in academic work. Some believe that the use of artificial intelligence can enrich the learning process by providing students with new tools for analysis and creativity. Others emphasize the importance of originality and critical thinking, insisting that work produced using AI may not reflect a student's true knowledge and skills. It's important to recognize that AI content can serve as a supporting resource, but the primary focus should be on developing students' analytical and creative abilities. Given these opinions, students should be mindful of the use of AI in their projects, striving to balance technology and their own knowledge.

The use of AI should be allowed only in answers to those tasks that initially involved working with neural networks (and the work should disclose what exactly was done with the help of neural networks) - 57% responded this way.
Another 38% voted for the answer that the use of AI should be allowed provided that the student honestly reports it (since the survey allowed multiple choices, the first and second categories may overlap).
23% would like to completely ban the use of AI in completing their assignments.
And another 11% intend to make the use of neural networks a mandatory part of their assignments.

The majority of respondents (81%) believe it is important to learn methods for developing students' critical thinking in the context of the availability of artificial intelligence. However, as mentioned earlier, only about 20% of respondents noted that universities offer a sufficient number of materials and courses for teachers. This highlights the need to improve educational resources aimed at preparing teachers to effectively use AI in the teaching process.

Learn more

Risks of AI Development According to University Professors

Contents:

How teachers use neural networks

What teachers expect from generative AI in the future

What do teachers see as the main problems with AI?