ARTIFICIAL INTELLIGENCE AND STEM: REINVENTING THE FUTURE OF SCIENCE, TECHNOLOGY, ENGINEERING AND MATHEMATICS IN EDUCATION

Abstract

This paper examines the transformative role of AI in STEM education and scientific research. It also assesses the interdisciplinary nature of AI-driven advancements and discusses key ethical considerations. The study adopted a qualitative research design of desk review based on secondary sources, including academic journals, books, policy documents, and reports from reputable organizations. Findings revealed that AI is personalizing STEM education through intelligent tutoring systems and adaptive learning platforms, accelerating scientific research by handling large datasets and generating hypotheses, optimizing engineering processes through automation and intelligent system design, and assisting mathematicians in solving complex equations and verifying proofs. AI is also promoting interdisciplinary collaboration across STEM fields, creating new opportunities for innovation. However, the study also identified significant barriers to AI integration, including data privacy concerns, algorithmic bias, unequal access to technology, lack of transparency, and accountability issues. Evidence from Nigerian universities show that students are increasingly using AI tools like ChatGPT for academic research, but face challenges with referencing, outdated information, and ethical concerns such as overdependence and plagiarism. The study concluded that AI is not replacing STEM but strengthening its ability to address complex global challenges. It recommended that educational institutions integrate AI literacy into STEM curricula, that policymakers develop ethical guidelines for AI use, and that stakeholders invest in infrastructure and training to ensure equitable access to AI technologies.