dEjournals Home Page
Central European Journal of Educational Research
Current Archives Guides Templates Submit online Search
Register Login

Central European Journal of Educational Research

Vol. 7 No. 2 (2025): Minority Education Success
Research papers

Exploring the ethical awareness of using artificial intelligence in Algerian tertiary education: Case of undergraduate and graduate EFL students at Souk-Ahras University

Published:
2025-12-31
DOI Linkhttps://doi.org/10.37441/cejer/2025/7/2/15642
Author
Ayoub Belouettar
View
PDF
Keywords
ethics artificial intelligence second language learning ethical instruction student attitudes
License

Copyright (c) 2026 by the authors

Creative Commons License

This work is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 International License.

How To Cite
Selected Style: APA
Belouettar, A. (2025). Exploring the ethical awareness of using artificial intelligence in Algerian tertiary education: Case of undergraduate and graduate EFL students at Souk-Ahras University. Central European Journal of Educational Research, 7(2), 71–86. https://doi.org/10.37441/cejer/2025/7/2/15642
Abstract

Ethical awareness is a pivotal component of English as a Foreign Language (EFL) students’ identity in that it allows them to scrutinize their approach to learning which ensures their autonomy. Therefore, this study explores the ethical awareness of EFL students at Souk-Ahras University, Algeria. This study focuses on the use of Artificial Intelligence by students for their learning. It investigates their variating perceptions on and reactions towards AI for study and whether those views fit into the universal ethical code of conduct. This study employed a quantitative research approach with a descriptive research design. The sample studied consisted of 62 EFL students, selected through a random sampling technique. The collection of relevant data was done through a comprehensive survey. Data analysis was done using statistical analysis. The findings showed that students utilize AI tools for multiple learning purposes while being cognizant of its ethical drawbacks. However, students expressed a shallow approach to ethical reflection and did not rely on an authentic ethical framework upon which their decisions should be made. The study suggests that the development and employment of such a framework should start with teachers, by not merely disseminating charters but also delivering ethical scrutiny through their teaching and counselling.

References
  1. Chan, K., & Zary, N. (2019). Applications and challenges of implementing artificial intelligence in medical education: Integrative review. JMIR Medical Education, 5(1), Article e13930. https://doi.org/10.2196/13930
  2. Cheng, C. T., Chen, C. C., Fu, C. Y., Chaou, C. H., Wu, Y. T., Hsu, C. P., Chang, C. C., Chung, I. F., Hsieh, C. H., Hsieh, M. J., & Liao, C. H. (2020). Artificial intelligence-based education assists medical students’ interpretation of hip fractures. Insights into Imaging, 11(1), Article 119. https://doi.org/10.1186/s13244-020-00932-0
  3. Chiu, T. K. F. (2024). Future research recommendations for transforming higher education with generative AI. Computers and Education: Artificial Intelligence, 6, Article 100197. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.caeai.2023.100197
  4. Cordeschi, R. (2007). AI turns fifty: Revisiting its origins. Applied Artificial Intelligence, 21(4-5), 259–279. https://doi.org/10.1080/08839510701252304
  5. Curren, R. R. (1998). Education, philosophy of. In Routledge Encyclopedia of Philosophy. Taylor & Francis.
  6. Ge, D., Wang, X., & Liu, J. (2021). A teaching quality evaluation model for preschool teachers based on deep learning. International Journal of Emerging Technologies in Learning, 16(3), 127–143. https://doi.org/10.3991/ijet.v16i03.20471
  7. Grannan, C. (2023). What’s the difference between morality and ethics? Encyclopedia Britannica.
  8. Holmes, W., & Porayska-Pomsta, K. (Eds.) (2022). The ethics of artificial intelligence in education. Routledge.
  9. Kewalramani, S., Kidman, G., & Palaiologou, I. (2021). Using artificial intelligence (AI) interfaced robotic toys in early childhood settings: A case for children’s inquiry literacy. European Early Childhood Education Research Journal, 29(5), 652–668. https://doi.org/10.1080/1350293X.2021.1968458
  10. Knapp, S. (2006). Artificial intelligence: Past, present, and future. VOX of Dartmouth.
  11. Lin, P., Van Brummelen, J., & Lukin, G. (2020). Zhorai: Designing a conversational agent for children to explore machine learning concepts. Proceedings of the AAAI Conference on Artificial Intelligence, 34(9), 13381–13388. https://doi.org/10.1609/aaai.v34i09.7061
  12. Löfström, E. (2012). Students’ ethical awareness and conceptions of research ethics. Ethics & Behavior, 22(5), 349–361. https://doi.org/10.1080/10508422.2012.679136
  13. Ministry of Higher Education and Scientific Research. (2023). Algerian university charter of deontology and ethics.
  14. Nan, J. (2020). Research of application of artificial intelligence in preschool education. Journal of Physics: Conference Series, 1607, Article 012119. https://doi.org/10.1088/1742-6596/1607/1/012119
  15. Shen, L., Chen, I., Grey, A., & Su, A. (2021). Teaching and learning with artificial intelligence. In S. Verma & P. Tomar (Eds.), Impact of AI technologies on teaching, learning, and research in higher education (pp. 73–98). IGI Global.
  16. Siegel, H. (1988). Educating for reason: Rationality, critical thinking, and education. Routledge.
  17. Siegel, H. (1997). Rationality redeemed? Routledge.
  18. Siegel, H. (2007). Multiculturalism and rationality. Theory and Research in Education, 5(2), 203–223. https://doi.org/10.1177/1477878507077735
  19. Siegel, H. (2017). Education’s epistemology: Rationality, diversity, and critical thinking. Oxford University Press.
  20. Siegel, H., Phillips, D. C., & Callan, E. (2018). Philosophy of education. In E. N. Zalta (Eds.), The Stanford Encyclopedia of Philosophy (Winter 2018 ed.).
  21. Singer, P. (2024, December 18). Ethics. In Encyclopedia Britannica.
  22. Union of Education in Finland (OAJ). (2013).
  23. Williams, R., Park, H. W., & Oh, L. (2019). PopBots: Designing an artificial intelligence curriculum for early childhood education. Proceedings of the AAAI Conference on Artificial Intelligence, 33(1), 9729–9736. https://doi.org/10.1145/3306618.3306753