Artificial Intelligence and Human Autonomy: The Impact on Critical Thinking andIndependent Work

Abstract

Education industry is also poised to undergo a revolution through offering efficiency and personal support through the use of Artificial Intelligence (AI). However, the factor of overreliance is also among the issues of concern in addition to the adverse outcomes it can bring to autonomy, critical thinking, and working independently. This study investigated the relationship between the use of AI and autonomy, critical thinking, and independent work considering the possibilities of overreliance as a mediator and digital literacy as a moderating interest. The statistical tests (regression and structural equation modeling (SEM) investigated direct, indirect, and moderated relationships. The utilization of AI was positively correlated with autonomous work, critical thinking, and independent work. Mediation on these relations by overreliance diminished their strength, however. The relations were greatly mediated by the digital literacy, whereby individuals with high literacy levels enjoyed greater advantages of AI use