AI as Academic Ally? Perceptions of LIS Students on ChatGPT and Academic Performance in Punjab, Pakistan
Abstract
In today's digital age, artificial intelligence (AI) is reshaping higher education by transforming how students learn and complete academic work. A prominent example is OpenAI’s ChatGPT, a conversational AI tool launched in late 2022 that quickly gained widespread use. This study investigates how Library and Information Science (LIS) students in Punjab, Pakistan perceive ChatGPT and how these perceptions relate to their academic performance. A quantitative survey was conducted with 291 LIS students from four universities in Punjab, selected via stratified sampling. Data were collected through an online questionnaire covering four constructs: perceived ChatGPT capabilities, satisfaction with ChatGPT, study outcomes from using ChatGPT, and self-reported academic performance. Descriptive statistics, correlation, and regression analyses were applied using SPSS (v25). The findings indicate that students generally have a positive perception of ChatGPT, valuing its ability to provide instant information and assist in tasks like writing, summarizing, translating, and problem-solving. Students reported high satisfaction with the tool’s accuracy and ease of use, and agreed that ChatGPT helps them learn more efficiently. All key variables were positively inter-correlated, and perception of ChatGPT was significantly associated with higher academic performance. In particular, the extent to which ChatGPT improved students’ study outcomes (e.g. completing assignments on time, understanding concepts) emerged as the strongest predictor of their academic success. These results provide insights for educators and policymakers on integrating AI tools in academia. The study underscores the need for ethical use and information literacy training so that students can leverage ChatGPT’s benefits while mitigating risks like over-reliance and academic dishonesty.
Keywords: ChatGPT; Artificial Intelligence; LIS students; Academic performance; Student perception
