The influence of artificial intelligence on the development of critical thinking in learners in the context of digital transformation

Abstract

The digital transformation of Ukraine’s educational environment is accompanied by significant changes in approaches to learning and in the development of future specialists’ competencies. The purpose of the study is to examine the specific ways in which artificial intelligence technologies influence students’ critical thinking development in the context of modernizing the educational process. Methods. An analysis of modern scientific research, a review of theoretical approaches to the use of intelligent digital tools in education, and a conceptual analysis of cognitive processes associated with students' interaction with such technologies were used. Results. It was established that the use of artificial intelligence systems in the educational process not only automates routine operations but also serves as a cognitive partner to students, capable of stimulating thinking and analytical activity. Research into the influence of artificial intelligence on critical thinking demonstrates its ambivalent nature. On the one hand, artificial intelligence systems allow modeling complex problem situations, provide quick access to alternative interpretations of information, support comparative analysis of solutions, and stimulate students’ cognitive reflection. At the same time, the effective use of artificial intelligence reduces routine cognitive load, allowing students to focus their resources on deep analysis and a creative approach to educational tasks. On the other hand, uncontrolled, excessive, or passive use of artificial intelligence can lead to several cognitive risks, including the illusion of knowledge, reduced depth of thought, dependence on algorithms, cognitive inertia, and fragmented attention. It was found that the primary mediators of the negative impact are cognitive fatigue, cognitive load imbalance, and a decrease in students’ sense of intellectual autonomy. Conclusions. The effectiveness of integrating artificial intelligence into the educational process is determined not so much by the technologies themselves as by teachers’ pedagogical and digital competence. The conscious, systematic and critically oriented use of artificial intelligence can transform the educational process, increasing the effectiveness of learning, stimulating deep understanding of the material and developing the skills of independent, reflective and reasoned thinking.