Deeve Technologies
Peer-reviewedJournal articleMixed methods

Exploring the potential challenges of AI-driven platforms for Information Technology students in the Philippines

Jay C., Rolly V., Dinnes D., Renald M., Kristine S.

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JournalGJSTEMR
VolumeVol. 2, No. 1
Pages303-312
PublishedApril 2026
DOI10.5281/zenodo.19658790
Headline finding
35.3%of students report that their independent critical thinking and manual debugging have weakened through reliance on AI.
226tertiary IT students across Philippine colleges and universities, purposive sampling
3.59mean concern for technology over-reliance, the joint highest in the study
77.9%use GitHub Copilot, the most used AI platform among respondents
83%of Filipino students use generative AI, ASEAN Foundation figure cited by the study
Abstract

The rapid integration of AI-driven platforms, such as generative large language models and automated code assistants, has significantly transformed the educational landscape for Information Technology students in the Philippines. While these tools offer significant productivity gains, this study investigates the burgeoning negative effects associated with their unregulated use within academic settings. Drawing on mixed-methods data from 2024 to 2026, including surveys from over 226 participants in the Philippine higher education sector, the research identifies three primary areas of concern: cognitive skill atrophy, ethical vulnerabilities, and infrastructural inequality.

Results indicate a high concern (Mean: 3.59/5.0) regarding technology over-reliance, with approximately 35.3% of students reporting a perceived decline in independent critical thinking and manual debugging proficiency. These challenges are further exacerbated by the Philippine digital divide, where students in under-resourced rural areas are more susceptible to AI-driven misinformation and technical exclusion. The study concludes with a call for human-in-the-loop educational strategies and curriculum-level interventions to mitigate these risks and ensure the long-term industry readiness of Filipino IT graduates.

Keywords
Academic IntegrityGenerative AI EducationHuman-in-the-loopPhilippine IT CurriculumTechnology Over-reliance
My role

Co-author, one of five researchers from the State University of Northern Negros.

Institution

State University of Northern Negros, Sagay City, Philippines

Areas of concern

Where the risk actually lands

01 · CognitiveSkill atrophyAccepting generated code without understanding the logic, and never building manual debugging skill
02 · EthicalAcademic integritySubmitted work students cannot explain, and confident but incorrect AI output
03 · StructuralThe digital divideRural and under-resourced schools lack the connectivity and hardware to use the tools well
04 · HumanLost interactionInstant AI feedback displacing the dialogue with instructors that builds soft skills
Methodology

How the study was done

DesignMixed methods, pairing a structured survey with a review of academic publications and institutional reports published between 2024 and 2026.
Respondents226 tertiary-level IT students from selected Philippine colleges and universities, purposive sampling, all with prior experience of AI-driven platforms.
InstrumentStructured questionnaire on a 5-point Likert scale covering technology over-reliance, critical thinking, academic integrity and student engagement.
AnalysisDescriptive statistics using mean scores and frequency distribution, with thematic analysis of the literature and open-ended responses.
Results

What the data showed

Perceived negative effectsTable 1 · 5-point scale · N = 226
Over-reliance on technology
3.59
Reduced teacher-student interaction
3.59
Biased decision-making in assessments
3.49
Information inaccuracy or hallucination
3.42
Decreased motivation to read or analyse
3.25
Potential for plagiarism or dishonesty
3.23
Reduction in critical thinking engagement
3.21
What students reportedResults and discussion
Critical thinking diminished35.3%
Use GitHub Copilot77.9%
Use generative AI (ASEAN Foundation)83%
Paraphrase AI output as their own75%
Above 3.4 is read as high concern, 3.0 as moderate.
Discussion

What it means

Speed over understandingCopy-paste use of generated code produces what the paper calls an illusion of competence: work submitted without a grasp of why it works.
Debugging is where learning happensWhen AI handles the debugging, students miss the chance to find out why code fails, and the analytical habit never forms.
The divide widensStudents without fast connectivity or capable hardware cannot use these tools well, so unequal access turns into unequal skill.
Conclusion

AI holds real potential to help Filipino IT students, but unregulated use threatens the foundations the degree is meant to build. The paper argues for AI literacy, institutional governance and a human-in-the-loop approach that keeps AI an instrument for enhancing human intellect rather than a substitute for it.

Limitations

Respondents were chosen by purposive sampling of students who already use AI platforms, so the findings describe active users rather than the whole student population, and the survey data is self-reported. The paper itself notes that the field is still moving and calls for further study of the long-term effects on critical thinking and creativity.

Cite this paper

Jay C., Rolly V., Dinnes D., Renald M., & Kristine S. (2026). Exploring the potential challenges of AI-driven platforms for Information Technology students in the Philippines. Global Journal of STEM Education & Management Research, 2(1), 303-312. https://doi.org/10.5281/zenodo.19658790

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