FUTURE-READY FACULTY: EMBRACING GENERATIVE ARTIFICIAL INTELLIGENCE (GENAI) IN HIGHER EDUCATION

چکیده

Artificial intelligence (AI) in higher education (HE) is becoming a prominent area for researchers to explore. Perceived benefits of generative AI in HE includes adaptive learning, personalized pathways, quality content, student engagement, customized and prompt feedback, and intelligent tutoring systems.  These benefits can be achieved if educators apply generative AI in their teaching in the right way; therefore, it is critical to explore the readiness of faculty to use AI. This study aims to explore the extent to which faculty members are ready to use AI in their teaching. Furthermore, identifying the factors affecting AI-readiness and behavioral-intention of faculty at open and distance learning institutions (ODL) is also a focus of this study. Using a quantitative research method, the study has collected data from ODL institution in Pakistan. Variables, including AI anxiety, confidence in teaching AI, AI relevance, AI for social good, attitude of using AI and perceived usefulness and AI-readiness of ODL faculty have been examined to measure their behavioral intentions towards using AI in their pedagogy. The online survey was sent to 200 faculty members of ODL from which 180 correctly filled questionnaires were received. Findings indicate that confidence in teaching AI, AI for social good, and relevance are the predictor of AI-Readiness whereas AI-Readiness is a good predictor of behavioral intention of ODL faculty members. This paper contributes to AI literature in higher education by emphasizing the AI benefits specifically in ODL through its faculty. The findings are helpful for higher education institutions (HEIs) to know the factors contributing towards readiness of ODL faculty to integrate AI in higher education, so that policies to adopt AI in education can be formulated. The findings are also important for apex bodies in higher education to identify the areas to be focused on for an effective use of AI.

Key Words: AI, Generative AI, Behavioral Intention, Adaptive Learning, Readiness to use AI, Attitude to use AI, Open and Distance Learning (ODL)