In another candid conversation with Mr. Fiyifoluwa, a student in the Department of Communication and Language Arts, we explored the personal, academic, and ethical dimensions of Al in education from a learner’s point of view.
For Fiyifoluwa, Al has made learning significantly more engaging, though not necessarily more accessible for everyone. He emphasised that while Al tools cannot replace the classroom experience, they serve as effective companions for simplifying complex topics and providing multiple perspectives that traditional lectures might not immediately offer.
“Al can be used to simplify things, but the user still has to make the effort to learn. It’s a tool not a replacement,” he remarked.
Fiyifoluwa mentioned he uses platforms such as ChatGPT, Gemini, and Microsoft Copilot to aid his academic tasks. He clarified that his use of these tools is responsible and purpose-driven.
“I don’t give AI a prompt to write my essays for me. I use it to simplify questions or get ideas. It’s more like rubbing minds,” he explained.
When asked whether AI should replace lecturers, Fiyifoluwa firmly disa-greed. He believes the human connection, contextual understanding, and teaching presence that lecturers provide are irreplaceable. “Al is just an assistant. It cannot and should not take the place of a lecturer,” he insisted.
With the rising concern about academic dishonesty, Fiyifoluwa drew a clear line between using Al as a learning support tool versus outsourcing academic work entirely. “If you’re just copying and pasting, you’re short-circuiting yourself. Learning is a process, not just about the out-come,” he warned.
He maintained that when AI is used to enhance understanding, rather than as a shortcut to results, it remains an ethical and valuable tool.
While acknowledging potential down-sides, especially misuse in examination malpractice. Fiyifoluwa believes that Al, when used ethically, enhances education rather than hinders it.
“It’s here to stay,” he affirmed. “Just like Google once was, Al is now the tool of our time. What matters is learning to use it responsibly and adapt to it.”
Fiyifoluwa’s reflections paint a picture of a student navigating the balance between innovation and in-tegrity. His view reminds us that while Al may shape the future of education, it is the responsibility of students, teachers, and institutions to ensure it is used to enhance learning, not bypass it. As technology advances, conversations like these remain crucial in ensuring education evolves with both excellence and ethics at its core.
