Does ChatGPT 'erode' students' independent and creative thinking?

The benefits and harms of using ChatGPT in studying are the topics that attracted attention at the 2025 Student Scientific Research Conference, organized by the University of Economics - Hue University today, June 8.

On June 8, Hue University of Economics organized the 2025 Student Scientific Research Conference, with the participation of hundreds of students and lecturers from faculties, departments, and training units.

Notably, there is a scientific research topic with a very "hot" topic: The current status of ChatGPT usage by students at universities today.

This is a topic researched and presented by students Ha Bich Ngoc and Nguyen Thi Truc Quynh, Faculty of Business Administration, University of Economics - Hue University.

Many students of Hue University of Economics participated in the scientific conference

PHOTO: LE HOAI NHAN

During the research process, the group of young authors realized that artificial intelligence (AI), especially ChatGPT, has a great impact on all areas of society, especially the use of ChatGPT tools by students in the learning process.

Specifically, after an online survey of more than 350 students from many universities in Ho Chi Minh City and several other localities, the results showed that ChatGPT had a significant impact on the learning of these students.

On the bright side, ChatGPT has the potential to be a powerful learning tool. Students can use it to quickly find information, explain complex concepts clearly, suggest and develop ideas for essays, practice foreign language skills, etc.

This not only helps personalize the learning process, promote initiative and self-learning ability, but also contributes to significantly improving the efficiency of knowledge acquisition of learners in the digital educational environment.

However, this convenience also raises a big question: Does using ChatGPT really improve learning outcomes, or does it just "wear down" students' independent and creative thinking?

After surveying, based on reference documents, the group of authors pointed out that the use of ChatGPT also leads to many concerns about technology dependence, increased plagiarism, and reduced critical thinking ability as well as independent learning ability of learners. In addition, the reliability of information as well as the ability to solve complex problems of this tool are also limited.

Leaders of Hue University of Economics awarded certificates of merit to students and student groups with outstanding scientific research works.

PHOTO: LE HOAI NHAN

The authors found that in Vietnam, there are still not many works that systematically and empirically analyze the relationship between the use of ChatGPT and student learning outcomes. This raises an urgent need for comprehensive research on both the positive and negative aspects of using this tool in the context of Vietnamese higher education promoting digital transformation and active learning.

This year's conference also has more than 20 excellent topics of students selected for presentation, in many fields such as development economics, trade, finance - banking, accounting - auditing, marketing, logistics... The special point of the conference is the focus on the practical application of the topics, the novelty in the approach and the ability to solve current economic - social problems.

Source: https://thanhnien.vn/chatgpt-co-lam-mon-tu-duy-doc-lap-sang-tao-cua-sinh-vien-185250608150800499.htm