Between Productivity and Ethics: Adoption of Artificial Intelligence by University Students in Educational and Entrepreneurial Processes

Abstract

This study explores undergraduate students' perceptions, uses, and challenges related to artificial intelligence (AI) in academic and entrepreneurial settings. Using a qualitative approach, data were collected from six focus groups (n = 40) and a survey of 125 students in management, engineering, and business programs. Additionally, a systematic review of 68 scientific articles from Scopus (2020–2025) was conducted. Results show that students widely adopt AI for tasks such as text generation, content creation, and entrepreneurial project development. Four key themes emerged: functional academic use, creative idea generation, normative ambiguity, and reduced autonomous thinking. While AI is seen as a tool to boost productivity and innovation, concerns arise regarding ethical uncertainty, overreliance on technology, and limited critical understanding of algorithms. The study highlights the importance of promoting algorithmic literacy and integrating ethical and pedagogical perspectives into higher education. It concludes that AI's benefits can only be fully realized if universities develop clear policies and curricular content to guide responsible and critical use of the technology in both academic and entrepreneurial contexts.