Free word association analysis of students' perception of artificial intelligence

Abstract

This study aims to explore students' associations with Artificial Intelligence (AI) and how these perceptions have evolved following the release of Chat GPT. A free word association test was conducted with 836 German high school students aged 10–20. Associations were collected before and after the release of Chat GPT, processed, cleaned, and inductively categorized into nine groups: technical association, assistance system, future, human, negative, positive, artificial, others, and no association. In total, 355 distinct terms were mentioned, with “robot” emerging as the most frequently cited, followed by “computer” and “Chat GPT,” indicating a strong connection between AI and technological applications. The release of Chat GPT had a significant impact on students' associations, with a marked increase in mentions of Chat GPT and related assistance systems, such as Siri and Snapchat AI. The results reveal a shift in students' perception of AI-from abstract, futuristic concepts to more immediate, application-based associations. Network analysis further demonstrated how terms were semantically clustered, emphasizing the prominence of assistance systems in students' conceptions. The findings underscore the importance of integrating AI education that fosters both critical reflection and practical understanding of AI, encouraging responsible engagement with the technology. These insights are crucial for shaping the future of AI literacy in schools and universities.