ANALYZING THE AI TOOLS' IMPACT ON CRITICAL THINKING IN BS ENGLISH STUDENTS AT PAKISTANI UNIVERSITIES

Abstract

The increasing integration of Artificial Intelligence (AI) tools in academic settings has significantly altered student learning behaviors, mainly in English language and literature studies. While AI offers several advantages in enhancing productivity, its widespread use raises concerns about its potential impact on students' critical thinking, creativity, and intellectual independence. This study investigates how dependence on AI tools affects the critical thinking and independent learning processes of English language and literature students at Pakistani universities. Particularly, it explores whether excessive reliance on AI tools hinders students' analytical and interpretative skills and how university teachers can balance AI use with promoting independent cognitive development.  Employing emergentism and mentalism as theoretical frameworks, the study analyzes AI use among students at two Pakistani universities, comparing BS English degree sessions of passed-outs (2019-2023) and newly enrolled students (2022-2026). Data were collected through qualitative content analysis of assignments and interviews with faculty members. The findings reveal that students in the post-AI session showed a marked decline in critical thinking, with their assignments showing less analytical depth and greater reliance on AI-generated content. Additionally, students' fear of academic penalties for non-compliance with assignment guidelines emerged as a significant driver for using AI tools. Interviews with teachers highlighted challenges in assessing AI-assisted work and the growing need for strategies to ensure independent thought. The study suggests that educational policies should regulate AI use for students under 20, promote intellectual autonomy, and incorporate critical thinking exercises into curricula. Furthermore, teacher training programs should include strategies for evaluating AI-assisted submissions, and workshops on the ethical use of AI should emphasize that these tools should enhance, not replace, critical thinking.