A recent study titled Exploring student acceptance and perceptions of AI-assisted PowerPoint creation shifts the spotlight to student attitudes on AI in education, a topic that’s often overshadowed by faculty-focused discussions.

Researchers engaged final-year university students to assess presentation slides generated using Microsoft Copilot. While students welcomed the idea of educators leveraging AI tools to support their teaching materials, they cautioned against complete reliance. Their critiques highlighted issues like poorly matched visuals, awkward structure, and even fictitious citations that resembled real references.

Keep AI as a co-pilot, not the driver
Generative AI is prone to inaccuracies or “hallucinations,” such as creating credible-looking but entirely false sources. Educators, as subject matter experts, are best equipped to maintain accuracy and guide content creation.

Align visuals with the message
Students tend to engage first with images before reading accompanying text. Mismatched visuals—like a riverbank photo for a finance topic—caused confusion. Clear, prompt-driven image generation can reduce these inconsistencies.

Talk about the tech
Fostering honest discussions around AI usage in class promotes trust. When instructors shared their experiences, students responded positively, already aware of the ethical dilemmas and potential flaws in GenAI.

Master the tools, together
Educators are encouraged to start with simple platforms before advancing to more complex ones. Department-based support networks can boost confidence and tailor AI use to specific academic fields.

With planning and partnership, AI can streamline teaching while keeping educators in command.