Dataset for the research: We Are Not Afraid of the Wolf! - AI Usage Attitudes Among Hungarian Informatics Students

When we asked Roland, a 2nd-year Computer Science BSc student, whether he was afraid of AI, his immediate reply was: Not at all! This unexpected answer made us wonder: perhaps today’s students approach AI with far less fear than our generation, which often views it with caution. This observation motivates our study: how do young computer science students perceive AI in their learning and future careers? Roland’s response is not just an isolated remark but a starting point for a broader inquiry. To situate this question, we must consider the wider educational and technological context in which generative AI is emerging. The rapid development of generative artificial intelligence (AI) has created new opportunities and challenges in computer science education. Large Language Models (LLMs), such as ChatGPT, GitHub Copilot, or Gemini, are increasingly used by students to generate source code, explain programming concepts, or assist in software development projects. While these tools provide immediate support and inspiration, they also raise questions about reliability, dependence, and their long-term effect on programming skills and job security. The title of this paper, We Are Not Afraid of the Wolf!, reflects this debate. The Wolf symbolizes the fear that AI may replace human programmers or reduce the value of their skills. Our research investigates whether Hungarian informatics students share this fear, or whether they instead approach AI with curiosity and acceptance. More specifically, the study explores how students majoring in Computer Science and Business Informatics at Eszterházy Károly Catholic University use AI in programming tasks, exam preparation, and creative projects, and how these experiences influence their self-confidence and career expectations.