GenAI Usage, Perceptions, and Professional Development Needs: A survey of University of California Extension Professionals

The use of Generative Artificial Intelligence (GenAI) technologies is growing rapidly in many professions, including Extension. The transformative aspects of GenAI, for both better and worse, have been widely recognized and are of great importance for Cooperative Extension organizations. To better understand GenAI needs and opportunities, a survey of extension professionals within the University of California was conducted by a group of interdisciplinary researchers including county-based CE Advisors, campus-based CE Specialists, a technology expert, and an administrator. Almost 400 UC extension professionals responded to the survey, yielding 300 complete responses after cleaning. Respondents included state-based academics (11%), county-based academics (17.4%), other academics (5.5%), administrators (1.7%), and programmatic professionals (63.4%). Respondents reported their experiences with GenAI tools, and expressed a range of perspectives on the impact of GenAI in CE, including concerns about the potential negative effects on critical thinking, professional competency, teamwork, professional development, and creative activity. Many also recognized GenAI's potential to support efforts in workplace efficiency, educational program design, and applied research. These findings underscore both the opportunities and challenges of integrating GenAI into professional practice, and highlight the need for thoughtful implementation to harness GenAI’s promises while minimizing the perils of this transformative technology.