PRE-SERVICE TEACHERS' PERCEPTIONS OF ARTIFICIAL INTELLIGENCE: AN EXPLORATORY STUDY ON CURRENT USES AND PROFESSIONAL PROJECTIONS

Martina Casillo, Ettore Melchionna, Nadia Carlomagno

Abstract


The growing presence of Artificial Intelligence in university contexts is relevant for contemporary pedagogy (Floridi, 2022; Rivoltella, 2020), as it challenges the nature of the educational experience (Carlomagno, Vadalà & Ricciardi, 2026). This exploratory study investigates how Scienze della Formazione Primaria students perceive and use AI in their academic path, and to what extent they envisage its use in their future teaching practice. Specific attention is devoted to anxiety towards AI, articulated in the fear of professional replacement and in the concern of losing personal competencies. The study, conducted on a sample of university students, adopts mixed methods to examine AI use, projections and emotional aspects. Preliminary findings depict students’ positioning, supporting pedagogical reflection on the education of future teachers, called to take an active role in the face of the transformations affecting contemporary educational systems (Taguma & Fernandez Barrera, 2019).


Keywords


Artificial Intelligence; teacher education; AI anxiety; pre-service teachers; AI literacy

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References


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DOI: https://doi.org/10.32043/gsd.v10i3.1795

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