The rapid adoption of generative artificial intelligence (GenAI) is transforming higher education, reshaping how students learn, complete academic tasks, and interact with knowledge. This study examines student perceptions of GenAI use in Mexican higher education institutions, focusing on perceived educational benefits and ethical considerations. Using a cross-sectional survey administered during 2024¿2025 (n = 219), the study analyzes perceived usefulness, learning support, trust in AI-generated outputs, ethical concerns, and intention to use through descriptive statistics and structural equation modeling. Results indicate high perceived usefulness and learning support, suggesting that GenAI is widely valued for enhancing productivity and time efficiency. However, students also report moderate trust and significant ethical concerns related to academic integrity and over-reliance. Ethical concerns negatively influence intention to use, highlighting the importance of governance and AI literacy. The findings contribute context-sensitive evidence from an emerging economy and inform policy and assessment design for responsible GenAI integration in higher education.
