The rapidly increasing use of Artificial Intelligence (AI) across universities worldwide has sparked fresh concern among teachers and education experts. Students are increasingly being rewarded not for their academic ability, but for their skill in using ChatGPT.
Teachers, lecturers, and professors believe this growing trend poses a serious threat to the future of education and intellectual development.
Several professors have stated that advanced AI tools such as ChatGPT are negatively affecting students’ ability to learn independently and think critically. According to them, if this trend continues unchecked, future graduates may possess degrees but lack genuine academic understanding and effective writing skills.
A student named Sarah from Wilfrid Laurier University in Canada revealed that she first used ChatGPT for cheating during her final year of high school. After entering college, she began relying on AI to complete assignments and written tasks for nearly every subject. Sarah explained that her grades improved dramatically following this shift, completely transforming her academic life.
She further admitted that, much like people become addicted to apps such as TikTok, Instagram, Snapchat, and Reddit, she too became excessively dependent on ChatGPT. According to her, essays that previously required 12 hours to complete can now be finished in just two hours.
Meanwhile, a teacher identified as Williams stated that, in his estimation, at least half of students were relying on AI for research and written assignments. He noted that proving such usage is becoming increasingly difficult, while many educational institutions still fail to fully recognise the seriousness of the issue.
Williams further argued that, under the current system, students are effectively being graded not on their own academic capability, but on how efficiently they can use ChatGPT. Experts say that although AI can serve as a valuable educational tool, excessive dependence on it may weaken critical thinking, research habits, and creativity.
They emphasised that educational institutions must now reconsider academic systems, examination infrastructure, and methods of student assessment in response to the growing influence of AI.
