ETHICAL ISSUES

The rapid growth of Artificial Intelligence (AI) has reshaped academic practices in higher education, creating both opportunities and ethical concerns. This study investigated the ethical issues associated with AI use among undergraduate students in Nigerian universities, with a focus on the University of Benin. The research examined how AI tools encourage plagiarism, affect academic integrity, contribute to dependence, promote academic laziness, and influence examination malpractice. A descriptive survey design was employed, and data were collected from seventy (70) undergraduate students across different faculties using a structured questionnaire. The results, analyzed through frequency counts, percentages, means, and standard deviations, revealed that AI tools significantly encourage plagiarism and undermine academic integrity. While students did not show strong overall dependence on AI, findings indicated that selective use promotes moderate laziness and creates new opportunities for exam malpractice. The study concludes that although AI can enhance learning efficiency, its misuse poses serious ethical challenges. It recommends that universities develop policies, awareness programs, and training initiatives to guide students toward responsible AI use, ensuring that technological benefits align with academic integrity and genuine learning