AN ASSESSMENT OF THE PREVALENCE AND USE OF ARTIFICIAL INTELLIGENCE AMONG UNDERGRADUATE OF BAYERO UNIVERSITY, KANO STATE, NIGERIA

Artificial Intelligence (AI) has become an integral part of modern education, revolutionizing learning processes, research, and academic engagement. This study assesses the prevalence and use of AI tools among undergraduate students at Bayero University, Kano (BUK), Nigeria. The research explores students’ level of awareness, frequency of AI tool usage, purposes for which AI is utilized, and the challenges they encounter in adopting AI technologies. A structured questionnaire was used to collect data from a sample of undergraduate students across various faculties at BUK. The data were analyzed using descriptive and inferential statistical methods to determine the extent of AI integration in academic and non-academic activities. The findings reveal a high level of awareness of AI tools among students (97.4%), with a significant proportion (60%) using AI tools daily. The primary academic applications of AI include conducting research (80.7%), completing assignments (53.3%), and problem-solving (50.0%). Despite the widespread adoption, students also reported notable challenges, including ethical concerns (64.8%), limited access to AI-powered platforms, and concerns regarding overreliance on AI for learning. The study concludes that while AI plays a transformative role in enhancing academic performance, there is a need for institutional policies that promote responsible AI integration in education. It recommends that the university should provide structured AI literacy programs, ethical guidelines for AI usage, and improved access to AI-powered resources to maximize the benefits while mitigating potential drawbacks. Further research is suggested to explore the long-term impact of AI adoption on students' critical thinking and independent learning skills.