AI as a Learning Companion for Students: Educational Innovation or New Challenge?

The development of Artificial Intelligence (AI) has significantly impacted various fields, including education. AI is widely used as a learning companion to help students understand materials and improve learning outcomes. However, despite its potential, challenges arise, particularly regarding students' digital literacy and the risk of dependence, which may reduce critical thinking skills.

AI offers students numerous conveniences in the learning process, with features like text generation, reference searches, and automated analysis. Students who know how to use AI-based tools can study independently more effectively. A survey conducted at Yadika Soreang Highschool showed that 80% of students who had used AI-based applications, such as ChatGPT or Copilot, felt that these tools helped them better understand lessons, especially with difficult subjects.

AI also provides various benefits in student learning. One of its main advantages is its ability to offer better personalized learning. AI technology can tailor teaching methods and materials to each student's abilities and learning pace. It also enables adaptive learning, where students can receive real-time feedback through digital platforms. This is crucial because students can immediately correct their mistakes. Additionally, AI helps simplify teachers' administrative tasks, such as grading and class management, allowing teachers to focus more on student interaction and creative teaching, indirectly improving classroom learning quality.

Although AI offers many benefits, the biggest challenge students face is low digital literacy. A survey by Indonesia's Ministry of Communication and Informatics (Kemenkominfo) showed that Indonesia's digital literacy score in 2021 was 3.49 on a scale of 1-5, indicating that digital literacy in Indonesia remains at a "moderate" level and needs improvement. The inability to fully utilize AI technology can hinder learning. Without a good understanding of the technology, students only utilize a fraction of its capabilities. Therefore, educational institutions must provide special training to help students maximize AI in their learning process.

In addition to digital literacy issues, students are also at risk of becoming overly reliant on AI. When students use AI to complete assignments, there is a tendency to accept the answers given without further verification or analysis. This can reduce critical thinking and independent problem-solving skills, which are crucial in education.

Another significant challenge is the ethical use of AI in education. When students use this technology to complete assignments, are they genuinely learning, or are they merely copying answers from the system? This issue relates to academic integrity, where AI use must be regulated to avoid undermining the actual learning process.

AI has enormous potential as a learning companion for students, offering various valuable features in the educational field. However, without adequate digital literacy and teacher supervision, AI could become a significant challenge for students, particularly regarding over-reliance and reduced critical thinking skills.

Therefore, the integration of AI in education must be done systematically. AI should be viewed as a tool that supports the development of students' analytical and cognitive abilities, not as an "instant answer" that replaces the thinking process. With proper guidance, AI can become an ideal tool in shaping a more adaptive generation of learners, ready to face future challenges.