Impact of Generative AI on College Students in Tamil Nadu, India

Generative Artificial Intelligence tools have become important resources in many domains including education. The study focuses on the user patterns, perceptions, benefits and limitations and ethical implications associated with Generative AI tools among college students. The main objectives are to assess the awareness, understand college students’ perceptions and patterns, to explore benefits and limitations in using Generative Artificial Intelligence for various purposes as well as to investigate ethical considerations. This research uses surveys and in-depth interviews. The purpose of the survey method is to collect quantitative data on usage patterns and college students’ awareness of Generative AI usage. To explore college students’ perceptions, experiences and ethical considerations regarding usage of Generative AI tools in-depth interviews were conducted with the college students. Descriptive statistics and thematic analysis are used as the data analysis method in this research. To summarise survey responses, descriptive statistics are used while thematic analysis is used to identify recurring themes from transcripts of the interviews. The findings become important for understanding the impact of Generative AI on college students and they provide valuable information for college students, teachers, policy makers and Generative AI developers. Through an investigation of both quantitative and qualitative data analysis, the study aims to provide guidance for ethical guidelines and instruction plans for the incorporation of Generative Artificial Intelligence tools in higher education settings.
Keywords: Generative AI, thematic analysis, student perception, ethical consideration.

Impact of Socio-Economic Factors on AI Awareness in Urban and Rural South India

In the rapidly advancing technological landscape, artificial intelligence (AI) is at the forefront of transformative changes across various sectors, including but not limited to art, design, and scientific research. This exponentially growing field offers unprecedented opportunities for innovation and efficiency, fundamentally reshaping the way tasks are performed and knowledge is acquired. In India, a developing nation with a vast and diverse population, AI is becoming increasingly influential. Youth, particularly school-goers and college students, are at the forefront of this digital revolution, demonstrating remarkable adaptability in embracing AI technologies and leveraging them for educational and professional advancement. However, this adaptability is not uniformly distributed across the country. Urban areas in India benefit from advanced technological infrastructure, greater internet penetration, and superior educational resources, facilitating smoother AI integration into students' lives due to the emphasis on globalisation. These students have access to AI-driven tools that enhance learning experiences, provide personalised education and foster innovation. With schools and colleges in urban settings often incorporating AI into their curricula and offering hands-on experiences, the urban youth is well-prepared to thrive in an AI-driven future. Conversely, rural communities face significant challenges, including limited infrastructure, unreliable internet connectivity, and a shortage of trained educators, making AI integration difficult. Rural schools struggle with basic resources, and socio-economic factors often prioritise immediate economic needs over long-term educational investments. This digital divide hampers rural students’ educational growth and widens the gap between rural and urban youth in terms of opportunities and future prospects. The paper seeks to shed light on the challenges faced by rural communities in integrating AI and to identify potential solutions to bridge the digital divide. This research will help ensure that the benefits of AI are accessible to all segments of the population, regardless of geographic location or socio-economic status, fostering more equitable development across the State.
Keywords: Rural school, internet penetration, technological innovations, digital divide, AI-powered tools.

AI Development and Deployment in the Global South: Challenges and Opportunities for Media and AI Literacy

The advent of Artificial Intelligence (AI) presents a complex landscape of challenges and opportunities, particularly for underrepresented regions in the Global South. While AI offers transformative potential across sectors such as media, education, and governance, the disparity between AI development and deployment in the Global North versus the Global South is stark. This research critically examines the multifaceted barriers that hinder the effective adoption of AI in these regions, including inadequate infrastructure, insufficient digital literacy, and a shortage of skilled professionals. Additionally, ethical concerns such as data privacy, algorithmic bias, and the widening digital divide compound these challenges, often leaving the Global South marginalised in the AI discourse. Conversely, the Global South holds untapped potential for localised AI solutions that can address unique socio-economic and cultural challenges. By fostering AI literacy alongside digital and media literacy, these regions can empower citizens to engage more effectively with technology, thereby narrowing the knowledge gap and enabling more inclusive development. The objectives of this research are twofold: first, to identify and analyse the key challenges impeding AI development and deployment in the Global South, focusing on infrastructure limitations, digital literacy gaps, and ethical considerations; and second, to explore the opportunities for enhancing media, digital, and AI literacy in the Global South and propose strategies that can leverage AI for inclusive growth and development. Through a mixed-methods approach, this study will use case studies from various Global South countries to assess the impact of AI on media and digital literacy initiatives, aiming to inform policymakers, educators, and technology developers on how AI can be harnessed to foster equitable growth and development in underrepresented regions
Keywords: Digital divide, media literacy, AI discourse, empowered citizens

Digital Platforms and Emergence of New political Constituencies Among New Age Social Media Users in Kenya

This research investigates the rise of digital activism in Kenya, focusing specifically on how contemporary social media users are creating new political constituencies. Through the lens of Resource Mobilisation Theory (RMT) and Conscientist Communication Theory (CCT) examination of utilisation of digital resources—including social media platforms, online networks, and digital content—in fostering collective action and enhancing political participation. The investigation centres on the recent Kenya’s protests led by the Generation Z (Gen Z) under the hashtag #RejectFinanceBill 2024 on how these digital tools were leveraged to mobilise and engage supporters. The study emphasises the critical role of social media as an enabling resource for protestors, to organise, communicate, and garner support for their political initiatives across major cities and half of the 47 counties in Kenya. As a double edge sword, the study demonstrates how social media can effectively influence political discourse and mobilise public opinion. These movements show how internet platforms may cut through regional boundaries to allow emerging political constituencies to coordinate actions and instantly amplify their voices. The study emphasises how social media fosters a sense of community and solidarity among users in addition to facilitating the quick dissemination of information. This study enhances the discourse on digital activism within the Kenyan context, demonstrating how resource mobilisation in the digital era alters political landscapes and augments the voices of marginalised groups. By exploring the convergence of technology and political engagement, valuable insights are offered into the dynamics of modern activism and the capacity of social media to drive political change.
Keywords: Digital activism, political constituencies, social media users, social media theory, resource mobilisation theory.

Integration of data intelligence and language technologies in education: Transforming Pedagogical Practices through LLMs, RAG and Knowledge Graphs

This work explores the application of Large Scale Language Models (LLMs), Augmented Data Retrieval (RAG) and Knowledge Graphs (KGs) in the educational context. The objective is to discuss the definitions, components and functioning of these technologies, as well as their integration to optimize teaching results. LLMs are models that understand and generate text naturally, using deep neural networks. RAG combines data retrieval with text generation, providing more accurate and contextual responses. KGs structure and connect information graphically, facilitating the representation of knowledge. The methodology used includes the analysis of the combination of these technologies, where LLMs generate text, RAG retrieves data from KGs and generates detailed responses, enriching the content with structured information. Practical applications in education include virtual assistants that provide personalised responses, research platforms that use RAG and KGs to present relevant data, and tutoring tools that offer personalised feedback. Key benefits include personalisation and efficiency in accessing structured information, while challenges involve data quality, privacy and integration complexity. Final considerations indicate that these technologies are transforming education, with future trends aimed at more interactive and personalised educational environments.
Keywords:Large-scale language models, augmented data recovery, knowledge graphs.

AI in Educational Technology: Advancing Media Literacy Skills among Students

Integrating artificial intelligence (AI) into educational technology can revolutionise media literacy education, equipping students with the critical skills necessary to navigate the complex digital landscape. This research paper explores the effectiveness of AI-driven educational tools in enhancing media literacy skills among students. Through a questionnaire-based approach, we gathered data from educators, students, and technology specialists to assess the impact of AI on students’ ability to critically analyse media content, identify misinformation, and engage with digital media responsibly. Our findings indicate that AI-powered tools, such as personalised learning platforms and adaptive assessment systems, can significantly improve students’ critical thinking and analytical skills by providing tailored feedback and interactive learning experiences. Additionally, the study highlights challenges such as technological accessibility, teacher preparedness, and potential biases in AI algorithms. Participants also expressed concerns about privacy and the ethical implications of AI in education. Despite these challenges, most respondents believe that AI can play a pivotal role in advancing media literacy. This paper concludes with recommendations for effectively integrating AI into media literacy curricula, emphasising the need for comprehensive teacher training and ongoing evaluation of AI tools.
Keywords:Artificial intelligence, educational technology, media literacy, critical thinking, misinformation

The Usage of AI Tools by Engineering Students on the CEG Campus, Anna University

The use of AI tools by the students on the CEG Campus of Anna University plays a crucial role in transforming the learning experience, in line with global advancements in technology and pedagogy. This study seeks to explore the extent and nature of AI tool usage among engineering students, focusing on both circuit and non-circuit branches, through a case study design using the quantitative method. The research involves 100 participants drawn from various engineering departments, with data collected through an online survey using a Google Form. This survey aims to gain comprehensive insights into student perceptions, challenges, benefits, and patterns of AI tool usage in academic contexts. The findings reveal that the most frequently used AI tools among students were ChatGPT (which is overwhelmingly used), followed by Microsoft Copilot and Grammarly. Students recognise these tools for their significant contributions to programming or coding assistance, enhancing writing skills, and facilitating the learning of new subjects. In particular, ChatGPT and Microsoft Copilot have been used more based on their ability to improve writing and content creation tasks, helping students gain a deeper understanding of complex concepts and ideas. Despite these advantages, a few of the students express concerns that the use of AI tools may compromise the originality and creativity in their academic work. These findings suggest that while AI tools offer substantial educational benefits, there is a need to address the potential drawbacks to ensure that students maintain a balance between using AI assistance and preserving their creative input.
Keywords:Generative AI, ChatGPT, Copilot, circuit branch, non-circuit branch, AI assistance.