Pharmacy Students’ Perceptions and Use of Artificial Intelligence Tools in Oman: A Cross-Sectional Survey

Abstract

BACKGROUND: Artificial intelligence (AI) is quickly changing pharmacy education by offering new tools for accessing information, improving research, and supporting academics. In Oman, the use of AI in pharmacy programs is still in the early stages, and there is little data on how students view and interact with these technologies. SETTING AND DESIGN: This cross-sectional study surveyed pharmacy students from three institutions: the National University of Science and Technology (NU), the University of Nizwa, and Oman College of Health Sciences (OCHS). A custom-designed questionnaire was disseminated via official email platforms and social media. Responses were collected using Microsoft Excel and analyzed with SPSS. RESULTS: A total of 156 students participated in the survey. The majority were female (n = 108, 69.2%), aged 20-22 years (n = 89, 57.1%), and enrolled in public universities (n = 92, 59.0%). Nearly half (n = 76, 48.7%) reported a moderate understanding of AI, while 34 students (21.8%) reported an advanced understanding. ChatGPT was the most widely used tool (n = 142, 91.0%), followed by Google (n = 104, 66.7%) and Grammarly (n = 59, 37.8%). Despite this high usage, only 15 students (9.6%) had received formal training in AI. Most students, n = 117 (75.0%), believed that AI had a positive effect on classroom learning. While pharmacy students in Oman are actively using AI tools like ChatGPT, 95 students (60.9%) felt comfortable using them to gain knowledge. Common concerns included overreliance (n = 88, 56.4%), reduced creativity (n = 76, 48.7%), and ethical issues (n = 48, 30.8%). Notably, 104 students (66.7%) expressed interest in receiving more AI training or attending workshops. CONCLUSION: Pharmacy students in Oman are using AI tools like ChatGPT, but they lack formal training. Educational programs to promote responsible and effective use of AI in pharmacy education are needed.