Keywords
Abstract
The rapid proliferation of artificial intelligence (AI) tools in higher education has raised growing concerns about their potential negative impact on students' cognitive development, particularly independent thinking and critical thinking skills. This study investigates the effects of excessive reliance on AI tools, including ChatGPT, Grammarly, and other generative AI platforms, on the development and maintenance of higher-order cognitive skills among university students. Employing a convergent parallel mixed-methods design, the research collected quantitative data from 312 undergraduate and graduate students across four universities in Uzbekistan through a purpose-designed questionnaire measuring AI usage patterns, cognitive engagement levels, and critical thinking dispositions. Additionally, qualitative data were gathered through semi-structured interviews with 28 purposively selected students and 16 faculty members.
References
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