Hooked on help: Student overreliance on ChatGPT in higher education

Abstract

This case study examines the phenomenon of university students’ dependence on ChatGPT, an AI-based language model widely used for academic tasks. Based on qualitative research involving 40 semi-structured interviews with students aged 18 to 25, the narrative centers on Lina, a composite character representing common experiences and challenges. Initially embraced as a productivity tool, ChatGPT gradually became integral to Lina’s academic routine, enhancing efficiency but eventually fostering cognitive reliance that impaired her critical thinking, creativity, and academic confidence. The case highlights the psychological impact of this dependence, including anxiety during AI unavailability, and the tension between AI-assisted work and authentic student voice, as reflected in faculty feedback. This study underscores the need for higher education institutions to develop policies and pedagogical strategies that balance AI integration with fostering academic integrity, student autonomy, and responsible technology use.