The Effect of Generative AI Dependency on Academic Integrity among Postgraduate Students at KPPIM

Abstract

The increasing integration of Generative AI (Gen-AI) tools in higher education has transformed students’ learning processes, offering benefits such as enhanced productivity, idea generation, and writing assistance. However, concerns are growing over students’ dependency on these tools and its impact on cognitive development and academic integrity. This study investigates how postgraduate students at KPPIM, Universiti Teknologi MARA (UiTM), transition from using Gen-AI as an academic aid to developing a dependency that may undermine critical thinking, problem-solving, and ethical decision-making. Guided by the Technology Acceptance Model (TAM), this study adopts a quantitative research approach to analyze the relationship between students’ perceptions of Gen-AI (Perceived Usefulness and Perceived Ease of Use), their dependency behaviors, and their ability to uphold academic integrity. Data will be collected through structured surveys, using validated instruments such as the Dependence on Artificial Intelligence (DAI) Scale and the Academic Integrity Scale (AIS). Regression analysis will be employed to examine the influence of AI dependency on students' ethical academic practices. The findings of this study are expected to provide valuable insights into the ethical implications of AI usage in education. By identifying the factors contributing to Gen-AI dependency and its effects on academic integrity, this research will support the development of institutional policies, ethical guidelines, and AI literacy programs to promote responsible AI use in higher education. Ultimately, the study aims to contribute to the broader discourse on balancing AI’s benefits with the need for academic integrity and independent learning.