AI Impact of Power Tools from Academic to Social Value: Beyond Educational Outcomes Toward Social Significance

Abstract

Abstract. Artificial Intelligence (AI) has become an integral component of contemporary education, providing pre-service teachers with AI-powered applications that support learning activities and technology-enhanced academic experiences. As the adoption of these tools continues to expand, it is important to examine their influence not only on academic achievement and learner motivation but also on competencies that generate broader social value. This investigation employed an explanatory sequential mixed-methods design involving 148 first-year pre-service teachers from North Eastern Mindanao State University–Cantilan Campus. Quantitative data were collected from all 148 respondents using a validated instrument that assessed AI tool usage frequency, tool variety, perceived ease of use, and perceived usefulness. For the qualitative phase, 24 purposively selected participants from the 148 respondents provided in-depth responses to two open-ended questions, which were analyzed using thematic analysis to further explain and enrich the quantitative findings. The quantitative findings indicated that AI-powered tool utilization was significantly associated with perceived academic performance, particularly in terms of examination outcomes and assignment quality. Regarding motivation, the diversity of AI tools used showed significant relationships with perceived ease of use and perceived usefulness, whereas usage frequency alone was not significantly related to motivation. The qualitative findings further demonstrated that AI-supported learning promotes academic productivity, digital readiness, technological adaptability, responsible engagement with emerging technologies, and competencies that extend beyond educational settings into broader social participation. Findings indicate that AI-powered tools contribute not only to improved academic development but also to the cultivation of capabilities that support meaningful participation within increasingly technology-driven educational and societal environments.