Barriers to AI in Higher Education: Affordability and Accessibility Gaps in Vietnam
Main Article Content
Abstract
The rapid expansion of artificial intelligence (AI) in higher education offers new learning opportunities while raising concerns about equity and access. This study investigates how affordability and accessibility influence Vietnamese university students’ academic use of AI tools. Using a mixed-methods design, the research combines survey data from 100 undergraduates at urban and rural public universities with interviews from 10 students. Results show widespread AI use, but primarily through free versions, as subscription costs remain a major barrier. Significant differences in internet reliability and device ownership persist between urban and rural students, revealing structural access gaps. Qualitative findings highlight how financial limitations, language barriers, and limited institutional support constrain meaningful engagement with AI. By positioning affordability and accessibility as key determinants of adoption, this study emphasizes the equity implications of AI integration and calls for coordinated institutional and policy efforts to ensure inclusive access.
Highlights
This study highlights that Vietnamese university students widely use AI tools for academic purposes, but their engagement is mainly limited to free versions because paid subscriptions remain unaffordable. It reveals that urban–rural differences in internet reliability, device ownership, language accessibility, and institutional support lead to unequal opportunities for AI-supported learning. By identifying affordability and accessibility as key equity conditions, the study provides practical insights for universities and policymakers seeking to promote more inclusive AI integration in higher education.
Article Details
This work is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial-NoDerivatives 4.0 International License.
Copyright: CC BY-NC-ND 4.0
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