International Journal of
Information and Education Technology

Abstract

Chatbots are currently a popular trend in various industries, including higher education institutions. Chatbots have the potential to enhance engagement, knowledge acquisition, and sociability in higher education. The current study aimed to examine the perceived benefits and potential risks of AI-based chatbots in Saudi higher education by surveying students about the feasibility of chatbot functioning. The study utilized a descriptive quantitative design based on a random sample clustering technique. In the quantitative study, 529 participants submitted their responses to the randomly distributed online questionnaire; only 307(58.03%) were included in the analysis, representing participants who had used AI-based chatbots in their learning or tutoring context. The study revealed no significant difference in the participants’ responses to perceived benefits and potential risks of integrating AI-based chatbots in educational settings related to their demographic profile (Gender, Profession, and Specialty). The overall perceived benefits of AI-based chatbots are providing interactive learning experiences, enhancing students’ learning, minimizing administrative workload, fostering self-efficacy, and self-regulation. Nevertheless, raised concerns about the potential risks of integrating AI-based chatbots in the education context were data limitations, privacy and security, and consequences on students’ proficiency.