A study published in the International Journal of Educational Technology revealed a link between reliance on ChatGPT, procrastination, memory loss, and decreased academic performance. The study's findings highlighted the role of generative artificial intelligence in education, indicating its widespread use and potential drawbacks, as reported by PsyPost.
Mohammed Abbas, the lead researcher from the National University of Computer and Emerging Sciences in Pakistan, explained that his interest in this topic "stems from the increasing prevalence of generative artificial intelligence in academic circles and its potential impact on students." He added that "last year, a noticeable rise was observed in the random reliance of many students on generative AI tools for various tasks and projects," prompting the research team to delve deeper into understanding the underlying reasons and consequences of students' use of generative AI.
Abbas and his colleagues discovered that high levels of academic workload and time pressure were significant factors predicting increased use of ChatGPT, indicating that students facing intense academic stress are more likely to turn to generative AI tools for assistance. Additionally, the study revealed substantial negative effects of using ChatGPT on students' personal and academic outcomes. The growing reliance on ChatGPT was associated with higher levels of procrastination, memory loss, and a negative impact on academic performance.
