Practices of Using Generative AI (GenAI) in the Educational Environment: How Students in Russia and Kazakhstan Master New Digital Tools

This article presents the results of a study aimed at examining the attitudes of university students in Russia and Kazakhstan toward generative artificial intelligence (GenAI), as well as their experience in using these technologies in educational contexts. The study considers students’ perceptions of the prospects for further integration of GenAI into the higher education system. The objective of the research is to identify the factors that influence the effectiveness and sustainability of GenAI integration into the educational process. The study was conducted via an online survey using a sample of 441 students representing various higher education institutions in Russia and Kazakhstan. Data were collected through a questionnaire that included both closed and open-ended questions to obtain both quantitative and qualitative data. The analysis employed correlation analysis and multiple regression methods using Python libraries such as pandas, statsmodels, and others. The results indicate that the frequency of GenAI use, the availability of specialized training, the level of technical infrastructure, and students’ socio-demographic characteristics significantly influence their attitudes toward these technologies.The study’s findings may be used to develop recommendations for the effective integration of GenAI into higher education, as well as for the design of educational programs aimed at enhancing students’ digital competence and literacy.