The increasing reliance on ChatGPT and other AI tools by students is reshaping the way they approach education, often to their detriment. Many students turn to these tools to complete their assignments in what should be described as worrying dependence. Studies indicate that 15% of younger students and 53% of older students are now leaning on AI assistance for their academic work. This trend is not just concerning for individual learning but for the future of education as a whole.
A recent incident at Texas A&M University highlights this growing issue. Graduating students had their diplomas temporarily withheld after a professor used AI to evaluate their final work. This is a clear example of how improper use of technology can disrupt academic processes. Such reliance on AI threatens to impede the development of critical thinking, problem-solving, creativity and research abilities — skills that lays the foundation for intellectual growth and career success. Without addressing this growing dependency, we risk stunting the intellectual and creative potential of our generations.
Immediate action is necessary to strike a balance between using technology as a tool for learning and ensuring students still develop the essential skills they need for their future.
Uzair Baloch
Hub
