University students in the UAE express frustration over professors' undisclosed use of AI, calling for greater transparency and accountability in education.
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| From Dubai to the U.S., students question professors' silent AI use, urging universities to uphold integrity, transparency, and student trust. Image: CH |
Dubai, UAE — May 23, 2025:
Growing concerns are emerging among university students in the UAE over professors' undisclosed use of Artificial Intelligence (AI) tools in teaching, with some saying it leaves them feeling misled or “cheated.” The issue gained traction internationally when a student at Northeastern University in the U.S. filed a formal tuition refund complaint after discovering that lecture notes were generated by AI.
Now, the ripple effect of that complaint is being felt across continents. Students in the UAE are voicing similar frustrations, demanding transparency and accountability from their academic institutions.
Dr. Sabrina Joseph, Provost and Chief Academic Officer at the American University in Dubai (AUD), acknowledged the importance of openness in AI integration. “We actively encourage faculty to be transparent about their use of AI in developing teaching materials not only to build trust, but also to model ethical and creative engagement with emerging technologies,” she said.
According to Joseph, when professors clearly communicate how AI is used—whether for refining lecture content, visualizing complex data, or crafting discussion prompts—it promotes classroom dialogue and helps demystify the technology. “Transparency here isn’t just about disclosure, it’s about empowerment,” she added. “Students who see thoughtful, responsible AI use by faculty are more likely to feel inspired rather than suspicious.”
AUD has implemented formal guidelines to ensure consistent and ethical AI use across all departments, reinforcing its commitment to preparing students for a tech-centric future.
Educators at the school level are also adapting. Neetha Shetty, Principal at Al Diyafah High School, emphasized teacher readiness: “We are investing in continuous professional development—empowering educators through targeted AI training to enhance both teaching and learning.”
Despite institutional efforts, many students remain uneasy. Tejasvi Sandeep Gurjar, a recent graduate, expressed her concern: “I’ve heard about professors reusing AI-generated slides and feedback. With how expensive tuition is, you feel cheated if learning is delegated to algorithms without informing students.”
She added, “Why pursue a Master’s degree if I’m going to learn from AI or YouTube anyway? There has to be a human element.”
Not all students view AI negatively. AbdulMalik Ifthikar believes AI can be valuable when used ethically. “If it’s used to support research or summarizing content, it’s fine—but it shouldn’t replace academic effort,” he said. “What matters is transparency from both professors and students. That’s how we preserve academic integrity.”
As AI continues to transform education, universities across the UAE and beyond are grappling with how to implement it ethically. For students, the answer is clear: involve them in the conversation, or risk losing their trust.