Teaching and Research Project

My Students Are Afraid of AI: Helping Students Embrace New Technologies

This project investigates how students understand, fear, and use artificial intelligence, with the goal of developing practical teaching approaches that help students engage with AI confidently, critically, and ethically.

AI Education Student Perception Digital Confidence Teaching Innovation AI Literacy

Key Focus

AI Fear understanding student anxiety and misconceptions around artificial intelligence
AI Literacy helping students understand what AI is, what it is not, and how it can be used responsibly
Teaching Practice developing practical strategies lecturers can use across disciplines

Research Overview

This study gathers real-world data on how EIT students perceive artificial intelligence. The project responds to a growing need for AI literacy in tertiary education, especially as students encounter AI tools in learning, assessment, employment, and everyday digital life.


Early survey findings indicate that many students hold misconceptions about AI, including the belief that AI is a sentient robot with emotions or that it can entirely replace humans. These misunderstandings can increase anxiety and reduce students’ confidence in using new technologies.


The project aims to develop a training programme that helps students better understand AI, recognise its limitations, and use it as a supportive learning and professional tool. By addressing misconceptions directly, lecturers can help students adopt a more informed, confident, and ethical approach to AI integration in education.

Teaching Contributions

Student Support

  • Identifies student misconceptions about AI, automation, and human replacement.
  • Builds student confidence in using AI tools appropriately and critically.
  • Supports inclusive AI learning for students from different disciplines and backgrounds.
  • Encourages ethical awareness around responsible AI use in education.

Academic Practice

  • Develops practical teaching resources for explaining AI in accessible language.
  • Supports lecturers across disciplines in responding to student concerns about AI.
  • Links AI literacy with employability and future professional skills.
  • Promotes balanced AI adoption rather than fear-based or uncritical use.

Survey Insights and Teaching Materials

Student survey response about AI perception
Student survey data showing how learners describe or imagine artificial intelligence.
Student perceptions and concerns about artificial intelligence
Survey responses highlighting common concerns, fears, and misunderstandings about AI.
Teaching material for explaining AI concepts to students
Teaching material designed to help students understand AI concepts in a practical and accessible way.
AI education and student training programme overview
Project materials supporting future development of an AI confidence and literacy training programme.

Applications

AI Literacy Workshops Teaching and Learning Student Confidence Responsible AI Use Digital Capability Cross-Disciplinary Education

Contact

Primary contact: amozhaeva@eit.ac.nz.