By By: Sylvanus P. Idiong, PhD
Ebinipere Blessing Yinkore, PhD
Abstract
The study critically examines the impact of Artificial Intelligence (AI) on the development of students’ critical thinking abilities, with a specific focus on evaluating both its constructive potentials and inherent limitations. The primary objective is to assess how AI-driven educational interventions influence learners’ analytical and reflective capacities. Anchored in philosophical methods of inquiry—namely, critical reflection, logical analysis, and speculative reasoning—the paper explores the ways in which AI facilitates critical thinking through personalized learning experiences, adaptive testing mechanisms, expansive informational access, and enhanced collaborative learning environments. The findings reveal that while AI significantly augments critical thinking by fostering autonomy and cognitive engagement, excessive dependence on such technologies poses a risk of diminishing students‘ independent reasoning skills. Consequently, the study advocates for the cautious and equitable integration of AI in educational settings. It suggests that educators and policymakers must adopt a balanced approach that maximizes AI‘s pedagogical advantages while proactively addressing its potential to impede the cultivation of genuine critical thoughts.
