Does AI Knowledge Encourage Cheating? Investigating Student Perceptions, Ethical Engagement, and Academic Integrity in the Digital Age

The increasing integration of artificial intelligence (AI) and technological tools in education necessitates understanding their impact on academic integrity and ethical behaviour. This study, focusing on misconduct trends, explores the relationship between students’ knowledge of AI tools and their ethical engagement. A quantitative approach was employed, using a five-point Likert scale questionnaire distributed to 376 students at Alex Ekwueme Federal University, Ndufu-Alike, Nigeria, with 326 valid responses analysed. Descriptive statistics, correlation analysis, and reliability and factor analyses were conducted using SPSS. Results revealed a significant inverse relationship between AI exposure and ethical behaviour, alongside a positive association with academic misconduct. Furthermore, education policies had limited efficacy in curbing unethical practices, emphasising the need for robust ethics education and stricter enforcement. This study underscores the dual nature of AI’s influence—enhancing learning opportunities while posing ethical challenges—and provides actionable recommendations for policymakers and educators to foster ethical practices in technologically advanced academic settings.