The Dilemma of Using ChatGPT in Academic Writing: Balancing Efficiency and Students’ Historical Thinking Skills

Abstract

Advances in artificial intelligence (AI) technology, particularly ChatGPT, have transformed students’ scientific writing practices, including those in the History Education Program at the Faculty of Social Sciences, Gorontalo State University. Although it facilitates access to information and the drafting of academic papers, its use has also raised concerns about the quality of students’ historical thinking. This study aims to analyze the efficiency of using ChatGPT in academic writing and its impact on the depth of students’ historical thinking. The study employs a qualitative approach with a case study design. The research participants consist of 8 students and 2 faculty members selected through purposive sampling. Data were collected through in-depth interviews, observations, and documentation, and were subsequently analyzed using thematic analysis. The research findings indicate that (1) ChatGPT enhances the efficiency of academic writing by accelerating information retrieval, idea development, outline creation, and time management, while still requiring students to engage in verification, paraphrasing, and the use of scholarly sources. (2) The use of ChatGPT has a dualistic impact on the depth of historical thinking: it supports initial exploration and the construction of academic narratives, but has the potential to weaken students’ ability to critically evaluate sources, interpret information, and construct evidence-based arguments if used without reflection and independent analysis. Therefore, ChatGPT should be positioned as a learning tool that supports efficiency without replacing students’ historical thinking skills.