Students' Attitudes Towards the Integration of AI in Higher Education: Perceptions and Challenges in Mauritius

International audience Artificial intelligence (AI) is transforming higher education by improving learningexperiences, automating administrative tasks, and providing personalized support to students.However, research on students' attitudes towards AI remains limited, particularly in developingcountries like Mauritius. This study examines students' familiarity with AI tools, theirperceptions of AI's impact on education, and the key challenges in its adoption. A mixedmethodsapproach was used, incorporating a structured questionnaire to gather comprehensiveinsights. Quantitative data were analyzed using descriptive statistics, while qualitativeresponses were thematically coded. Findings indicate that while students acknowledge AI’spotential in education, they express concerns regarding accessibility, ethical implications, andinstitutional preparedness. Furthermore, many students lack awareness of AI's role in theiracademic and professional futures, highlighting the need for targeted AI education initiatives.The study recommends integrating AI literacy programs within university curricula, ensuringequitable access to AI tools, and establishing clear ethical guidelines for AI use in education.Additionally, universities should involve students in AI policy development to promotecomprehensive decision-making. These insights contribute to ongoing discussions on AIadoption in higher education, providing a foundation for further research that includes facultyand administrative perspectives to develop a holistic AI integration framework.