Ethical Challenges and Educational Benefits: The Role of GenAI in Shaping Academic Writing and Student Skills

• In Event: Roundtable Session 4
  In Refereed Roundtable Session: The impact and challenges of artificial intelligence and digital tools in diverse educational contexts

Proposal

In the wake of the digital transformation of education, Generative AI (GenAI) tools have become increasingly integrated into academic processes, particularly in reading and writing tasks. This study investigates how students perceive the ethical and critical use of GenAI in their academic work, focusing on two core aspects: (1) the ethical challenges students face when utilizing AI in academic writing and reading, and (2) the perceived impact of AI on their skill development, particularly writing, critical thinking, and language proficiency. This research draws on in-depth interviews with university students who have used GenAI for several months, uncovering their mixed experiences. While many view the technology as a helpful tool for boosting their academic performance, others express concerns about its potential to weaken independent learning skills.
The findings show that while many students report improvements in English writing skills and academic writing styles, they also express concerns about the over-reliance on AI and the potential erosion of critical thinking and original thought. Ethical questions around authorship, integrity, and the influence of AI-generated content on students' own work are central to their concerns. These insights highlight the need for clearer guidelines and ethical frameworks in the educational use of GenAI.
This study explores how GenAI affects academic writing and skill development, adding to the conversation about the ethical and educational challenges that come with integrating technology into learning. It offers practical recommendations for educators on fostering responsible AI usage and balancing technology’s benefits with the development of essential academic skills.
Empirical Research:
Relevance to CIES 2025 Theme:
This research is directly relevant to CIES 2025's theme of "Envisioning Education in a Digital Society," which calls for exploration of how digital technologies, such as AI, are reshaping education. GenAI's role in academic writing is a concrete example of this transformation, raising critical ethical and pedagogical questions aligned with the conference’s focus on how digital tools influence learning, teaching, and skill development.

Author

• TINGTING ZHANG, The Education University of Hong Kong