IDEAS home Printed from https://ideas.repec.org/a/gam/jsusta/v17y2025i3p1127-d1580398.html
   My bibliography  Save this article

Attitude Mining Toward Generative Artificial Intelligence in Education: The Challenges and Responses for Sustainable Development in Education

Author

Listed:
  • Yating Wen

    (School of Public Administration, Yanshan University, Qinhuangdao 066004, China)

  • Xiaodong Zhao

    (School of Public Administration, Yanshan University, Qinhuangdao 066004, China)

  • Xingguo Li

    (Graduate School, Yanshan University, Qinhuangdao 066004, China)

  • Yuqi Zang

    (School of Public Administration, Yanshan University, Qinhuangdao 066004, China)

Abstract

Generative artificial intelligence (GenAI) technologies based on big language models are becoming a transformative power that reshapes the future shape of education. Although the impact of GenAI on education is a key issue, there is little exploration of the challenges and response strategies of GenAI on the sustainability of education from a public perspective. This data mining study selected ChatGPT as a representative tool for GenAI. Five topics and 14 modular semantic communities of public attitudes towards using ChatGPT in education were identified through Latent Dirichlet Allocation (LDA) topic modeling and the semantic network community discovery process on 40,179 user comments collected from social media platforms. The results indicate public ambivalence about whether GenAI technology is empowering or disruptive to education. On the one hand, the public recognizes the potential of GenAI in education, including intelligent tutoring, role-playing, personalized services, content creation, and language learning, where effective communication and interaction can stimulate users’ creativity. On the other hand, the public is worried about the impact of users’ technological dependence on the development of innovative capabilities, the erosion of traditional knowledge production by AI-generated content (AIGC), the undermining of educational equity by potential cheating, and the substitution of students by the passing or good performance of GenAI on skills tests. In addition, some irresponsible and unethical usage behaviors were identified, including the direct use of AIGC and using GenAI tool to pass similarity checks. This study provides a practical basis for educational institutions to re-examine the teaching and learning approaches, assessment strategies, and talent development goals and to formulate policies on the use of AI to promote the vision of AI for sustainable development in education.

Suggested Citation

  • Yating Wen & Xiaodong Zhao & Xingguo Li & Yuqi Zang, 2025. "Attitude Mining Toward Generative Artificial Intelligence in Education: The Challenges and Responses for Sustainable Development in Education," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 17(3), pages 1-26, January.
  • Handle: RePEc:gam:jsusta:v:17:y:2025:i:3:p:1127-:d:1580398
    as

    Download full text from publisher

    File URL: https://www.mdpi.com/2071-1050/17/3/1127/pdf
    Download Restriction: no

    File URL: https://www.mdpi.com/2071-1050/17/3/1127/
    Download Restriction: no
    ---><---

    References listed on IDEAS

    as
    1. Ibrahim Mutambik, 2024. "The Use of AI-Driven Automation to Enhance Student Learning Experiences in the KSA: An Alternative Pathway to Sustainable Education," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 16(14), pages 1-21, July.
    2. Lian, Ying & Tang, Huiting & Xiang, Mengting & Dong, Xuefan, 2024. "Public attitudes and sentiments toward ChatGPT in China: A text mining analysis based on social media," Technology in Society, Elsevier, vol. 76(C).
    3. Sudhir Rana, 2023. "AI and GPT for Management Scholars and Practitioners: Guidelines and Implications," FIIB Business Review, , vol. 12(1), pages 7-9, March.
    4. Danah Henriksen & Punya Mishra & Rachel Stern, 2024. "Creative Learning for Sustainability in a World of AI: Action, Mindset, Values," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 16(11), pages 1-20, May.
    5. Lynn J Frewer & Chaya Howard & Richard Shepherd, 1998. "Understanding public attitudes to technology," Journal of Risk Research, Taylor & Francis Journals, vol. 1(3), pages 221-235, July.
    Full references (including those not matched with items on IDEAS)

    Most related items

    These are the items that most often cite the same works as this one and are cited by the same works as this one.
    1. Visschers, Vivianne H.M. & Siegrist, Michael, 2012. "Fair play in energy policy decisions: Procedural fairness, outcome fairness and acceptance of the decision to rebuild nuclear power plants," Energy Policy, Elsevier, vol. 46(C), pages 292-300.
    2. Nicolás Bronfman & Pamela Cisternas & Esperanza López-Vázquez & Luis Cifuentes, 2016. "Trust and risk perception of natural hazards: implications for risk preparedness in Chile," Natural Hazards: Journal of the International Society for the Prevention and Mitigation of Natural Hazards, Springer;International Society for the Prevention and Mitigation of Natural Hazards, vol. 81(1), pages 307-327, March.
    3. Juliana Martins Ruzante & Valerie J. Davidson & Julie Caswell & Aamir Fazil & John A. L. Cranfield & Spencer J. Henson & Sven M. Anders & Claudia Schmidt & Jeffrey M. Farber, 2010. "A Multifactorial Risk Prioritization Framework for Foodborne Pathogens," Risk Analysis, John Wiley & Sons, vol. 30(5), pages 724-742, May.
    4. Visschers, Vivianne H.M. & Keller, Carmen & Siegrist, Michael, 2011. "Climate change benefits and energy supply benefits as determinants of acceptance of nuclear power stations: Investigating an explanatory model," Energy Policy, Elsevier, vol. 39(6), pages 3621-3629, June.
    5. Barbara A. Knuth & Nancy A. Connelly & Judy Sheeshka & Jacqueline Patterson, 2003. "Weighing Health Benefit and Health Risk Information when Consuming Sport‐Caught Fish," Risk Analysis, John Wiley & Sons, vol. 23(6), pages 1185-1197, December.
    6. Rehman, Anis ur & Behera, Rajat Kumar & Islam, Md. Saiful & Abbasi, Faraz Ahmad & Imtiaz, Asma, 2024. "Assessing the usage of ChatGPT on life satisfaction among higher education students: The moderating role of subjective health," Technology in Society, Elsevier, vol. 78(C).
    7. Li, Sihong & Chen, Jinglong, 2024. "Virtual human on social media: Text mining and sentiment analysis," Technology in Society, Elsevier, vol. 78(C).
    8. Erdem, Seda & Rigby, Dan, 2011. "Using Best Worst Scaling To Investigate Perceptions Of Control & Concern Over Food And Non-Food Risks," 85th Annual Conference, April 18-20, 2011, Warwick University, Coventry, UK 108790, Agricultural Economics Society.
    9. Nicolás C. Bronfman & Pamela C. Cisternas & Esperanza López-Vázquez & Luis A. Cifuentes, 2016. "Trust and risk perception of natural hazards: implications for risk preparedness in Chile," Natural Hazards: Journal of the International Society for the Prevention and Mitigation of Natural Hazards, Springer;International Society for the Prevention and Mitigation of Natural Hazards, vol. 81(1), pages 307-327, March.
    10. Hengstler, Monika & Enkel, Ellen & Duelli, Selina, 2016. "Applied artificial intelligence and trust—The case of autonomous vehicles and medical assistance devices," Technological Forecasting and Social Change, Elsevier, vol. 105(C), pages 105-120.
    11. Halder, Pradipta & Pietarinen, Janne & Havu-Nuutinen, Sari & Pöllänen, Sinikka & Pelkonen, Paavo, 2016. "The Theory of Planned Behavior model and students' intentions to use bioenergy: A cross-cultural perspective," Renewable Energy, Elsevier, vol. 89(C), pages 627-635.
    12. Nicolás C. Bronfman & Esperanza López Vázquez, 2011. "A Cross‐Cultural Study of Perceived Benefit Versus Risk as Mediators in the Trust‐Acceptance Relationship," Risk Analysis, John Wiley & Sons, vol. 31(12), pages 1919-1934, December.
    13. Ellen Townsend & David D. Clarke & Betsy Travis, 2004. "Effects of Context and Feelings on Perceptions of Genetically Modified Food," Risk Analysis, John Wiley & Sons, vol. 24(5), pages 1369-1384, October.
    14. Van Asselt, Joanna & Nian, Yefan & Soh, Moonwon & Gao, Zhifeng & Morgan, Stephen N, 2020. "Do Plastic Warning Labels Reduce Consumers’ Willingness to Pay for Plastic Packaging?," 2020 Annual Meeting, July 26-28, Kansas City, Missouri 304503, Agricultural and Applied Economics Association.
    15. Ellen Townsend & Scott Campbell, 2004. "Psychological Determinants of Willingness to Taste and Purchase Genetically Modified Food," Risk Analysis, John Wiley & Sons, vol. 24(5), pages 1385-1393, October.
    16. Han Xiao & Cheng Ma & Hongwei Gao & Ye Gao & Yang Xue, 2022. "Green Transformation of Anti-Epidemic Supplies in the Post-Pandemic Era: An Evolutionary Approach," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 19(10), pages 1-26, May.
    17. Shikuku, Kelvin M. & Largerkvist, Carl Johan & Okello, Julius J. & Karanja, Nancy & Ackello-Ogutu, Chris, 2013. "Assessment of the influence of attitude and benefit-risk perceptions on yield variability among smallholder peri-urban commercial kale farmers in Wangige, Kenya," 2013 Fourth International Conference, September 22-25, 2013, Hammamet, Tunisia 161283, African Association of Agricultural Economists (AAAE).
    18. Gough, Clair & O׳Keefe, Laura & Mander, Sarah, 2014. "Public perceptions of CO2 transportation in pipelines," Energy Policy, Elsevier, vol. 70(C), pages 106-114.
    19. Seda Erdem & Dan Rigby, 2013. "Investigating Heterogeneity in the Characterization of Risks Using Best Worst Scaling," Risk Analysis, John Wiley & Sons, vol. 33(9), pages 1728-1748, September.
    20. Pham, Hong Chuong & Duong, Cong Doanh & Nguyen, Giang Khanh Huyen, 2024. "What drives tourists’ continuance intention to use ChatGPT for travel services? A stimulus-organism-response perspective," Journal of Retailing and Consumer Services, Elsevier, vol. 78(C).

    Corrections

    All material on this site has been provided by the respective publishers and authors. You can help correct errors and omissions. When requesting a correction, please mention this item's handle: RePEc:gam:jsusta:v:17:y:2025:i:3:p:1127-:d:1580398. See general information about how to correct material in RePEc.

    If you have authored this item and are not yet registered with RePEc, we encourage you to do it here. This allows to link your profile to this item. It also allows you to accept potential citations to this item that we are uncertain about.

    If CitEc recognized a bibliographic reference but did not link an item in RePEc to it, you can help with this form .

    If you know of missing items citing this one, you can help us creating those links by adding the relevant references in the same way as above, for each refering item. If you are a registered author of this item, you may also want to check the "citations" tab in your RePEc Author Service profile, as there may be some citations waiting for confirmation.

    For technical questions regarding this item, or to correct its authors, title, abstract, bibliographic or download information, contact: MDPI Indexing Manager (email available below). General contact details of provider: https://www.mdpi.com .

    Please note that corrections may take a couple of weeks to filter through the various RePEc services.

    IDEAS is a RePEc service. RePEc uses bibliographic data supplied by the respective publishers.