Work

Exploring faculty perceptions of AI in ELT at the University of Hail in the context of Saudi Vision 2030

Year: 2026

Type: article

Abstract: This study explores faculty members’ awareness of, perceived benefits of, and challenges associated with the use of Artificial Intelligence (AI) in English language teaching (ELT) at the University of Hail, within the context of Saudi Vision 2030 and its goals for digital transformation and educational development. It examines whether perceptions differ by academic rank and investigates the relationships between EFL faculty members’ awareness of AI and their perceptions of its benefits and challenges in language teaching and learning, with the aim of informing the effective integration of AI into Saudi higher education. To achieve these objectives, questionnaire data were collected from 81 faculty members in the English Department. The results showed that faculty members had a high level of awareness of AI and positive perceptions of its importance in ELT, in line with the educational objectives of Vision 2030, with no statistically significant differences across academic ranks. However, academic rank was significantly correlated with awareness, suggesting that faculty members with higher academic ranks had greater awareness of AI. The findings also revealed a strong positive correlation between EFL faculty members’ awareness and their perceptions of AI’s role in enhancing ELT, as well as moderate positive correlations between awareness and perceived challenges and between perceived benefits and challenges. The thematic analysis of follow-up interviews identified four main challenges: the lack of clear institutional policies governing AI use, students’ over-reliance on AI at the expense of deeper learning, difficulties in distinguishing AI-generated content from student-authored work, and ethical concerns, including plagiarism and reduced student effort.

Source: International Journal of ADVANCED AND APPLIED SCIENCES

DOI: 10.21833/ijaas.2026.09.008

Authors: Saleh Hammad A. Al Azmi, Naif Shalan S. Al Shammari, Mustafa A. Thabet

Institutions: University of Ha'il, Arab Open University

Language: English

Topic: Artificial Intelligence in Education

Subfield: Education

Field: Social Sciences

Domain: Social Sciences

SDG: Quality education

Open Access status: gold

Estimated APC paid: $469