AI Technology in The ESP Context: Uses and Concerns among Architectural Engineering Students at Hadhramout University
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Abstract
: With the rapid advancement of information technology and Artificial Intelligence (AI), numerous cutting-edge techniques and technologies have been developed to improve English learning generally and English for Specific Purposes (ESP) specifically. This study's combination of the use AI technology by ESL students bring a niche in the field. It also examines ESP students in a developing country overwelmed by war. Therefore, this article presents a quantitative study on Yemeni architectural engineering students to identify their perceptions of their proficiency in utilizing AI tools in their ESP studies. In addition, the study attempted to determine what concerns these students may have when using AI applications. To collect data, a close-ended questionnaire was administered to 43 fourth year students at the Department of Architectural Engineering at Hadhramout University, Yemen in the academic year 2024-2025. The findings indicated that the majority of the students are below the average efficiency (M=2.65) level in using most of the AI applications. The students, however, rated themselves as efficient in handling few AI-based applications such as ChatGPT (M= 4.44), Microsoft Bing Copilot (M= 3.88) and Google Gemeni (M= 3.74). The study also showed that Yemeni EFL students have high concern regarding the use of AI technology (M=3.57). For instance, the current analysis emphasized several challenges and concerns involving ethical issues related to data privacy, plagiarism, overreliance, cheating and laziness among learners, and the tendency to provide misleading or inaccurate information. This study could contribute to raise architectural engineering students’ awareness and knowledge about their lacks in using AI technologies. Knowing their strengths and weaknesses in using various AI tools would be beneficial so that future learning may be enriched if learners maintain their strengths and try to improve and stretch their weaknesses. Moreover, based on the findings, the study presented recommendations for the professors, curricula designers and engineering students at Hadhramout University.
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