The current situation in the use of AI-driven technologies in education has seen an unprecedented rise, however, the impact of these technologies from the perspective of ethical issues is largely unknown. The aim of the research is to provide a clear overview of the potential risks that could be related to the use of AI-driven apps in foreign language learning as it is perceived by the users of these apps. The data were collected by the questionnaires distributed among the students of computer science and also the users of various AI-driven apps for their language classes. The data collection was qualitative with the aim of analyzing their feelings, opinions, and experience. The tool to analyze the data collected was liwc.app software that is a gold standard for textual analysis when looking for values, feelings, and opinions. The results clearly show that the users, who are professionals in ICT, are fully aware of the potential threats but due to the fact that they are knowledgeable about the topic they are not prone to be hacked or misused in a way the general public can be. The results also highlight several grave ethical issues related to privacy in foreign language learning apps. This is the first research drawing attention to the topic of ethical issues when using AI-driven foreign language learning apps and it can be considered a pioneering work in this neglected area.

Centre for Basic and Applied Research and Department of Applied Linguistics Faculty of Informatics and Management University of Hradec Kralove Hradec Kralove 500 03 Czech Republic

Department of Applied Linguistics Faculty of Informatics and Management University of Hradec Kralove Hradec Kralove 500 03 Czech Republic

Zobrazit více v PubMed

Klimova, B., Pikhart, M. & Kacetl, J. Ethical issues of the use of AI-driven mobile apps for education. PubMed PMC

Karimian, G., Petelos, E. & Evers, S. M. A. A. The ethical issues of the application of artificial intelligence in healthcare: a systematic scoping review.

Webb, M. E. et al. Machine learning for human learners: opportunities, issues, tensions and threats.

Li, F., Ruijs, N. & Lu, Y. Ethics & AI: A systematic review on ethical concerns and related strategies for designing with AI in healthcare.

Wei, G. & Niemi, H. Ethical guidelines for artificial intelligence-based learning: a transnational study between China and Finland. In: (eds Niemi, H., Pea, R. D. & Lu, Y.) AI in Learning: Designing the Future. Springer, Cham. 10.1007/978-3-031-09687-7_16 (2023).

Wei, M. & Zhou, Z. AI ethics issues in real world: evidence from AI Incident database. arXiv. (2022). 10.48550/arXiv.2206.07635.

Celik, I. Towards Intelligent-TPACK: an empirical study on teachers’ professional knowledge to ethically integrate artificial intelligence (AI)-based tools into education.

Flores-Vivar, J. M. & García-Peñalvo, F. J. Reflections on the ethics, potential, and challenges of artificial intelligence in the framework of quality education (SDG4).

Alakrash, H. M. & Abdul Razak, N. Technology-based Language learning: investigation of digital technology and digital literacy.

Belda-Medina, J. & Calvo-Ferrer, J. R. Using chatbots as AI conversational partners in Language learning.

Reiss, M. J. The use of AI in education: practicalities and ethical considerations.

Meunier, F., Pikhart, M. & Klimova, B. Editorial: new perspectives of L2 acquisition related to human-computer interaction (HCI). PubMed PMC

Wiboolyasarin, W., Wiboolyasarin, K., Tiranant, P., Jinowat, N. & Boonyakitanont, P. AI-driven chatbots in second Language education: A systematic review of their efficacy and pedagogical implications.

Law, L. Application of generative artificial intelligence (GenAI) in Language teaching and learning: A scoping literature review.

Varkey, B. Principles of clinical ethics and their application to practice. PubMed PMC

Stöhr, C., Ou, A. W. & Malmström, H. Perceptions and usage of AI chatbots among students in higher education across genders, academic levels and fields of study.

Polakova, P. & Klimova, B. Implementation of AI-driven technology into education: a pilot study on the use of chatbots in foreign Language learning.

Mezgár, I. & Váncza, J. From ethics to standards – A path via responsible AI to cyber-physical production systems.

Zhang, W. & Wang, Z. Theory and practice of VR/AR in K-12 science education—A systematic review.

Kousa, P. & Niemi, H. AI ethics and learning: EdTech companies’ challenges and solutions.