Abstract:

The emergence of Artificial Intelligence (AI) in education has created new opportunities for personalised, flexible, and scalable learning experiences. However, the pedagogical and ethical implications of integrating conversational AI tools remain insufficiently understood. This study investigates learners’ perceptions and experiences of an AI chatbot designed to support an online professional course on Data Ethics offered by the Open Data Institute (ODI). The chatbot was implemented through the SAGE-RAI (Smart Assessment and Guided Education with Responsible AI) platform, which applies responsible AI principles to create transparent, curriculum-grounded conversational agents. Unlike open-domain models, the SAGE-RAI chatbot was trained exclusively on course materials, ensuring contextual accuracy, explainability, and information traceability through embedded citations.

Adopting a qualitative research design, the study collected data through semi-structured interviews with adult learners from diverse professional backgrounds. The data were analysed thematically, and three overarching themes emerged: AI as a Learning Enabler, The Human-AI Partnership in Education, and Boundaries, Ethics, and Responsible Use. Learners described the chatbot as a responsive and non-judgmental “critical friend” that enhanced understanding, confidence, and engagement. They valued its immediacy, accessibility, and transparency, noting that these qualities supported self-regulated learning and ethical reflection. At the same time, participants emphasised the continuing importance of human teaching for fostering empathy, contextual depth, and nuanced discussion.

The findings highlight that learners view AI not as a replacement for human instruction but as a complementary learning partner that can extend support and inclusivity in online education. Ethical awareness and trust were central to the experiences of learners, underscoring the importance of transparent sourcing and institutional guidance for responsible AI use. The study concludes that responsible AI integration depends on aligning technological innovation with the human values of integrity, autonomy, and critical inquiry. The study offers practical guidance for designing AI tools that complement human teaching, foster trust, and promote ethical awareness. Institutions are encouraged to develop governance frameworks and professional development initiatives that embed transparency, accountability, and inclusivity into AI-enhanced teaching practices.

Keywords:

Responsible AI, Online Professional Education.