In recent years, the integration of Artificial Intelligence (AI) in various sectors, including education, has been a global phenomenon. The introduction of AI chatbots, particularly highlighted by the release of OpenAI’s popular bot on November 30th, has sparked a significant interest worldwide. Sri Lanka, known for its vibrant academic culture, is no exception in embracing this technological advancement.

A glance at Google Trends reveals a surge in searches for “chat gpt” in Sri Lanka for last 12 months, signifying a growth and adoption of AI technology. Interestingly, this uptick is most pronounced in cities locating major government universities. These data suggest a correlation between the academic communities and the utilization of ChatGPT.

Particularly noteworthy is the adoption of ChatGPT in academic hubs like Belihuloya, home to the Sabaragamuwa University of Sri Lanka, and Ariviyal Nagar, near Jaffna University. These areas are leading in the search trends, followed closely by other university towns such as Mihintale, Oluvil, and Peradeniya. Apparently, Colombo, despite its educational significance, appears segmented in the data, possibly due to geographical categorization nuances in Google’s system.

The usage pattern of ChatGPT during the holiday seasons in April and December, there’s a noticeable dip, which resumed thereafter, indicating its integration into the academic calendar. This time series graph further illustrates these fluctuations.

However, the adoption of AI in academic settings is not without controversy. There’s a growing debate on the implications of using AI tools like ChatGPT in academic writing. Concerns center around issues like plagiarism, originality, creativity, and the fundamental objectives of learning. This  Vox video eloquently discusses the positives and negatives of AI in education, contributing to this crucial conversation.

Your perspective on this evolving landscape of AI in higher education, especially within the Sri Lankan context, could provide key insights into how we approach this technological integration. Feel free to share your views in the comments below.