Usage of AI Tools in Holy Cross College, Tiruchirappalli for Teaching, Learning, and Research

Abstract

Holy Cross College (Autonomous), Tiruchirappalli, Tamil Nadu, is a century-old institution dedicated to the empowerment of women through education in the fields of Arts and Science. In the light of the increasing integration of technology in academia, this study aims to investigate the adoption and utilization of Artificial Intelligence (AI) tools in teaching, learning, and research activities by students and faculty members of the college. The study is rooted in the belief that understanding how AI tools are used can help to enhance educational outcomes and inform future academic strategies. The key objectives are to assess AI awareness levels, identify the most commonly used tools, examine their purposes, evaluate their impact on academic quality and efficiency, and explore challenges in their usage. A structured questionnaire was developed and distributed online via Google Forms to library users, adopting a random sampling method. Out of 564 total responses, 512 were valid and analyzed using Excel to detect usage patterns across academic groups. The findings revealed that 100% of the respondents, including undergraduate (UG), postgraduate, and Ph.D. scholars, as well as faculty members were aware of AI tools. The most popular tools identified include ChatGPT, Grammarly, Gemini, Gamma, QuillBot, Canva, Elicit, and Scite. While Ph.D. scholars primarily used AI for article writing and language correction, UG students commonly utilized AI tools for preparing seminars (88%) and assignments (87%). Faculty members employed these tools for question bank preparation (92%), article writing (72%), classroom teaching (40%), and research proposal development (22%). Canva, in particular, was widely used for creative tasks such as designing brochures and presentations. The study concludes that AI tools significantly contribute to academic efficiency, creativity, and productivity. However, ethical concerns regarding AI usage remain, particularly among UG students. Therefore, it is recommended that the college conducts awareness programs, workshops, and establish clear institutional guidelines to promote ethical and effective use of AI tools in academia.