Between Use and Understanding: An Initial Status Analysis of Artificial Intelligence Literacy in a Philippine Higher Educational Institution
Year: 2026
Type: conference-paper
Study design: Observational Study
Abstract: This study presents an initial status analysis of Artificial Intelligence (AI) literacy in a Philippine higher education institution, focusing on patterns of awareness, use, and ethical understanding among college students and faculty members. Employing a descriptive and exploratory survey design, data were collected from 311 respondents to examine familiarity with AI tools, experiences of AI-related ethical dilemmas, and perceptions of AI ethics and digital citizenship education. Results indicate high familiarity with mainstream generative AI platforms, particularly text-based systems, yet reveal uneven conceptual and ethical understanding. A majority of respondents reported encountering ethical issues involving AI, while many expressed uncertainty in recognizing or articulating such dilemmas. Despite these gaps, strong support emerged for the inclusion of AI ethics and digital citizenship in the curriculum. The findings suggest that AI engagement in higher education currently outpaces structured ethical and conceptual grounding. This study contributes empirical evidence to inform policy development, curriculum design, and future large-scale investigations on AI literacy in higher education contexts.
Institution: Malayan Colleges Laguna
Language: English
Subfield: Education
Field: Social Sciences
Domain: Social Sciences
SDG: Quality education
Open Access status: hybrid
OpenAlex ID: W7204604031
