LLMs can be helpful tools, but overuse risks erosion of critical thinking skills
By Dylan Smith, Managing Editor
Students are living through an AI revolution, but I fear our ability to think critically about complex problems is steadily declining.
Since the launch of OpenAI’s ChatGPT in November 2022, companies and institutions have pushed for an AI-centric future—a world where even the simplest tasks can be handled at the push of a button. However, as these tools become more advanced, I often wonder what is being lost in the process.
Large Language Models, or LLMs, such as ChatGPT or Microsoft’s Copilot can generate a wide range of responses depending on the user’s needs with nothing more than a basic prompt. From simple grammar fixes to full-length essays, content can be created in seconds.
Need the answer to a quiz question? Just copy and paste it into an AI program, and it will deliver an answer—no textbook required.
Instead of figuring things out independently, students can now copy whatever an algorithm produces. That might earn a passing grade, but it leaves many students clueless when it comes to actually understanding the material.
Another problem is accessibility. Using AI takes just a few clicks, making it incredibly tempting for students to rely on it rather than developing their own problem-solving skills. One such study published in the journal “Smart Learning Environments” in June 2024 would appear to support these concerns. Researchers examined multiple studies to explore the impact of AI in educational settings.
In one such study, researchers found that AI often fabricated convincing “facts” and false information, which caused users to regard the information as trustworthy. The study warned that heavy reliance on AI could hinder students’ ability to critically analyze information and integrate academic knowledge.
Academic integrity is another concern. AI inevitably encourages cheating, creating an unfair playing field for students who genuinely put in the effort. Why manage time carefully or study hard when AI can finish your assignment in just a couple of hours? In essence, it shortcuts the learning process, making the actual work too easy.
AI also threatens jobs. As a journalism major, I often wonder whether my professional future could be at risk because of generative LLMs
According to the Brookings Institution, a Washington, D.C.-based think tank, concerns about journalism’s sustainability are widespread. Brookings reports that journalistic content is being used without permission to train AI systems, essentially allowing AI to “learn” from the work of real reporters without giving credit or compensation.
There’s no doubt AI tools are here to stay. California State University is already embracing them, and recently announced partnerships with major AI companies to integrate AI tools into classrooms.
To CSU’s credit, officials are offering online courses to help students familiarize themselves with AI technologies. Dominguez Hills is also preparing, with required instructor training on the ethical use of AI and in-house sessions called “Tech Bytes” to better educate the campus community.
Still, despite these efforts, concerns about over-reliance remain. CSUDH English professor Jolivette Mecenas believes the intense pressure to succeed could push students toward excessive dependence on AI.
“Critical reading, writing, critical thinking, and creative thinking—those are all markers of an educated person,” Mecenas told me during a recent conversation. “I think a lot of students don’t realize that it takes time and practice to develop these skills.”
CSU argues that incoming AI toolkits will enhance students’ learning experiences, but I’m skeptical. Without proper guidance and moderation, over-reliance, academic dishonesty, and laziness are real risks—and Mecenas seemed to agree.
“That persistence and the understanding that failure is also part of learning, you know, students get really discouraged and … might be tempted to use an AI tool to avoid any kind of failure you know,” she said. “But that’s part of learning.”