Student views in AI Ethics and Social Impact

A new study published on arXiv (2603.18827) by researchers Tudor-Dan Mihoc, Manuela-Andreea Petrescu, and Emilia-Loredana Pop investigates how the next generation of technologists perceives the ethical and societal implications of artificial intelligence. Surveying 230 second-year computer science students, the research aimed to uncover gender-based perspectives that could influence future AI education and development. The findings reveal that students overwhelmingly believe AI will have significant daily life impacts, particularly in critical sectors like medicine, education, and media.

The analysis uncovered distinct gendered viewpoints. Male students demonstrated greater awareness of AI's potential to transform technical fields like computer science itself, autonomous driving, and image/video processing. They also showed heightened concern about threats in domains like warfare, AI-controlled drones, and information conflict. Conversely, female students more frequently cited AI's impact on social media and exhibited a stronger tendency toward ethical considerations focused on helping others. Notably, both groups perceived potential threats similarly, but through different lenses.

This research provides crucial data for educators and industry leaders shaping AI curricula and responsible development practices. Understanding these foundational student perspectives—especially before they enter the workforce—is vital for building AI systems that consider diverse societal impacts and ethical frameworks from the ground up.