Survey Uncovers Cautious Optimism About Generative AI's Impact on Learning

An informal survey from video platform Echo360 found that higher education technology users around the world are hopeful about the potential instructional and learning impacts of generative artificial intelligence and applications like ChatGPT. The company recently polled 550 EchoVideo users across the North America, Europe, Middle East and Africa (EMEA), and Asia-Pacific (APAC) regions to explore their awareness of and attitudes toward generative AI in education.

More than 66% of global EchoVideo users felt that generative AI technologies have the potential to positively transform learning. That sense of optimism varied by region: In North America, 68% agreed on the potential of generative AI, compared to 61% in EMEA and 83% in APAC.

The survey also asked about specific learning applications of generative AI. Among the uses cited: helping students with creative springboards (64% of respondents), helping instructors generate content more quickly (57%), and enabling personalized content creation (55%).

In open-ended responses, EchoVideo users expressed that higher education is still in its early days of understanding the long-term influences and impacts of generative AI, Echo360 reported. "I don't think generative AI will replace human authors; original work is still needed," said one respondent. "However, there is work to be done to monitor that it is not abused and that it follows policies that protect original work and doesn't discriminate. Overall, I think as a technology it helps in small tasks to move human work to larger tasks and doesn't replace humans. I think it's a good thing as long as it's used correctly."

The full report is available by request on the Echo360 site.

About the Author

Rhea Kelly is editor in chief for Campus Technology, THE Journal, and Spaces4Learning. She can be reached at [email protected].

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