Survey of AI Tool Usage in Programming Course: Early Observations

Abstract

This study explores the role of artificial intelligence (AI) in university teaching, with a focus on the teaching of programming. De- spite the growing use of AI in education, both students and teachers often struggle to understand its role and implications. To address this gap, we conducted a survey of a wide group of students (n=200) to as- sess their experiences and perspectives on the use of AI in programming education. The survey results suggest that AI is becoming increasingly involved in university teaching, particularly in the teaching of program- ming. However, students require guidance from teachers in order to use AI tools effectively in their studies. The study concludes that the goal of teaching programming should be to guide students in the responsible use of AI. Overall, the study highlights the need for greater awareness and understanding of AI in university teaching and the fact that teachers have an important role to play in providing guidance to students on the responsible use of AI tools.