A new study has shed more light into the usage and demand of ChatGPT. The study published in Frontiers in Artificial Intelligence has found that AI tools like ChatGPT are more popular among students who have executive function challenges.
The researchers conducted two studies. The first had a sample of 385 adolescents, aged 12 to 16 and attending four primary schools in the south of Sweden. The second study included 359 students aged 15 to 19 who were enrolled in the same high school.
15% young students and 53% older students rely on ChatGPT
The researchers found that use of ChatGPT was around 15% among younger teens and around 53% among older students.
One reason the researchers found that older students have complex assignments which increases their dependency on AI tools. They also found that students who struggle with executive function relied more on ChatGPT for school work.
What are executive function challenges?
Executive function challenges in students refer to difficulties with cognitive processes essential for planning, organization, time management, and goal-setting. These skills are crucial for managing tasks and controlling impulses, and when impaired, students may struggle with following instructions, staying on task, or completing assignments. Common symptoms include disorganization, forgetfulness, trouble prioritizing tasks, and difficulty with self-regulation.
Students with executive function challenges may also have trouble with emotional control, which can impact their behavior and social interactions. This can lead to frustration, decreased academic performance, and challenges in building relationships. Addressing these issues often involves targeted strategies and interventions, such as organizational tools, structured routines, and behavioral therapies. By understanding and supporting these needs, educators and parents can help students develop better coping mechanisms and improve their overall academic and personal outcomes.
“Our work lays the initial groundwork to inform educators, policymakers, and technology developers about the role of generative AI in education and how to balance its benefits with the need to maintain academic integrity and promote genuine learning. It also underscores the need for supportive measures for students, especially those with EF challenges. However, to gain a more comprehensive understanding, further studies are needed,” project leader Dr Daiva Daukantaitė, an associate professor at Lund University has said.
ChatGPT, developed by OpenAI, is a language model that uses artificial intelligence to generate human-like text based on the input it receives. It is designed to assist with a wide range of tasks, from answering questions and providing explanations to creating content and engaging in conversations. By leveraging extensive training data, ChatGPT can understand context, generate coherent responses, and adapt to various topics.
