Artificial intelligence (AI) is increasingly integral to higher education, especially in scientific writing. AI programs aid in literature searches and enhance clarity, style, and grammar, improving academic writing quality and efficiency. This research explores students’ views on Explainpaper, an AI tool for scientific writing. By focusing on students’ experiences, the study evaluates Explainpaper’s reliability and user-friendliness, with implications for educators in mitigating AI’s potential drawbacks and leading AI integration in education.

The study examines Explainpaper’s use in academic writing within a ‘Scientific Writing’ course, employing a two-round, student-centered approach. It assesses student interactions with AI tools, identifying challenges and drawbacks. A survey of English and German-speaking students gauges perceptions of Explainpaper’s reliability, attitudes toward future AI use in writing, and views on professors’ role in AI adoption.

Anticipated outcomes include nuanced insights into AI-supported writing in higher education and its implications. Empirical findings will inform guidelines for proactive professorial engagement with technology, breaking the cycle of reactive responses to technological advancements and meeting student expectations. The study aims to elucidate AI’s benefits and challenges in student writing, shaping guidelines for higher education.

This research underscores the importance of student perspectives in AI-supported writing adoption. Conclusions drawn from student feedback inform proactive professorial guidelines and recommendations for leveraging AI tools to support students’ academic writing journey.