INFLUENCE OF AI ON THE ACADEMIC PERFORMANCE AMONG NIGERIAN STUDENTS 

Abstract: This study investigates the influence of artificial intelligence (AI) on academic performance among students of Rivers State University (RSU). It aims to evaluate AI’s role in enhancing learning, assignments, and research tasks while exploring potential drawbacks such as over-reliance on technology, academic dishonesty, and its effects on critical thinking and problem-solving skills. The study was anchored on Technological Determinism Theory. Using a cross-sectional survey method, data was collected through questionnaires distributed to a cluster-sampled student population. Descriptive statistics were employed to analyze students’ levels of AI access, utilization, and attitudes towards its use in academic contexts. Findings reveal high AI tool accessibility (83.8%), underscoring its integration into students’ routines. While students acknowledge AI’s positive impact on productivity, 41.9% of respondents expressed concerns about the technology’s effect on critical thinking skills, as reliance on AI may impede independent analysis. Additionally, ethical issues emerged, with a significant number of students perceiving AI as a risk to academic integrity. Based on these findings, the study recommends establishing ethical guidelines, enhancing AI literacy, and fostering activities that promote critical thinking. Limitations include the study’s cross-sectional design, suggesting the need for further research across diverse contexts and longitudinal studies to better understand AI’s long-term impact on student learning.