AI IN EFL CLASSROOMS: MEASURING EFFECTIVENESS IN ASSIGNMENTS, PRESENTATIONS, AND EXAM PREPARATION AT ULM

Abstract

With the development of artificial intelligence, education is changing quickly, presenting new advantages and challenges for students everywhere. AI techniques have revolutionized urban learning by increasing availability and personalization. AI tools such as ChatGPT and Meta AI are increasingly used in EFL classrooms to help students with assignments, presentations, and exam preparation. However, while AI has gained popularity in urban settings, its impact on rural education remains underexplored. This study investigates the advantages, disadvantages, and perceptions of AI use in rural EFL classrooms at the ULM. The present study investigates the advantages, disadvantages, and perceptions of AI use in rural EFL classrooms at the University of Lakki Marwat. The study attempts to find out how AI tools affect students' and teachers' experiences of using AI tools such as Chat GPT and Meta AI in EFL academic tasks like assignments, presentations, and exam preparation, and how these tools affect the learning process. To explore this, the study used a mixed-methods approach. Data were collected through questionnaires from 70 EFL students and interviews with five teachers of the department of English and Applied Linguistics, and were analyzed through descriptive statistical and thematic analysis. The findings reveal both benefits and drawbacks of AI tools. Students and teachers appreciated the role of AI in improving grammar, organizing content, easy and free access to structured academic content, improving the quality of EFL presentation, and reducing academic stress. At the same time, concerns were raised about inaccurate and irrelevant information, overdependence, plagiarism, and reduced critical thinking. The study highlights the importance of using AI tools with responsibility and teacher guidance in EFL classrooms at ULM, especially when applied to key academic tasks such as assignments, presentations, and exam preparation.