Why AI-Generated Articles Harm Students’ Learning By Maymunah Abdulwahab

Why AI-Generated Articles Harm Students’ Learning

By Maymunah Abdulwahab,

Artificial Intelligence (AI) has become an influential tool, aiding individuals in numerous areas. From voice assistants to self-driving cars, AI proves beneficial across various sectors. In education, AI tools have been introduced to assist students with writing and learning tasks. However, relying on AI to create articles or essays for academic purposes brings significant concerns.

While AI can simplify writing, it also carries negative implications for students’ learning and development. One of the core aspects of education is fostering critical thinking and problem-solving skills. However, students increasingly rely on AI to generate articles for them, which denies them the opportunity to analyze information, form relevant arguments, and present their thoughts independently.

Writing is not merely about putting words on paper; it is a process that involves researching, synthesizing information, and organizing ideas. When AI takes over these tasks, students lose the chance to engage deeply with the subject matter.

Furthermore, every piece of writing should reflect the unique voice and perspective of its author. During an editorial meeting, Alhaji Yushau Shuaib remarked, “Every piece of writing reflects the unique voice and perspective of the author.”

AI-generated content lacks this personal touch and fails to allow students to express their thoughts, opinions, and creativity.

Articles generated by AI often lack personal insights and emotional engagement. Relying on AI for writing tasks hinders students from finding and developing their own voices, an essential skill for effective communication.

Using AI to create articles also raises ethical concerns, particularly around plagiarism. AI-generated content is often based on existing texts, which can unintentionally replicate phrases or ideas from other sources. If students submit these AI-generated articles as their own work, it constitutes academic dishonesty and violates academic integrity.

Educational institutions must instill the importance of originality to ensure students understand the ethical responsibilities in their academic work.

Over-reliance on AI tools can create a dependency on technology.

While technology can be beneficial, excessive reliance on AI for writing may result in students struggling to complete assignments independently. This dependency undermines their ability to write and think critically without technological assistance, creating challenges in exams or professional settings where AI support is unavailable.

Additionally, it may prevent students from effectively defending their work.

Writing is a skill that improves with practice. By writing essays or articles, students learn to organize their thoughts, conduct research, and present arguments clearly. When AI completes this work for them, students miss out on a valuable learning experience. Over time, this dependency can lead to a decline in writing skills, potentially impacting their performance in higher education and future careers.

Moreover, AI-generated content is not always accurate and can sometimes be misleading. While AI can process vast amounts of information, it is not always reliable, and AI-generated articles may contain errors. Relying on AI for academic writing risks spreading inaccurate information, which could negatively affect students’ grades and understanding of a subject.

AI is undoubtedly a powerful tool with numerous advantages. However, using it to create articles for students introduces more disadvantages than benefits. It lacks essential qualities like critical thinking and personal expression. AI can support the writing process, but students should use it as a supplementary tool rather than a substitute for their own efforts.

Educators and institutions should encourage students to engage fully with the writing process, promote originality, and develop the skills they need to thrive. AI should be viewed as a servant, not a master. By encouraging students to write their articles, we help them grow into thoughtful, independent thinkers.

Maymunah Abdulwahab is an intern at PRNigeria and a student of Ahmadu Bello University, Zaria. She can be reached via [email protected].