Generative AI can have a significant impact on how students regulate their own learning and develop critical thinking skills. It helps learners by offering personalized guidance, such as suggesting relevant resources, setting manageable goals, and providing instant feedback. This encourages students to take more control over their learning and make adjustments based on their progress. Additionally, AI can stimulate critical thinking by presenting different viewpoints on a topic, helping learners explore various ideas and think deeply about them. It can also challenge assumptions, promote creative problem-solving, and encourage logical reasoning by providing evidence and counterarguments. However, there are some risks. If students become overly reliant on AI, they might stop thinking critically for themselves or fail to engage with the material deeply. Furthermore, AI systems can sometimes offer biased or incomplete information, which could influence how learners form their conclusions. Overall, when used thoughtfully, generative AI can support self-regulated learning and strengthen critical thinking, but it’s important for students to remain active and discerning participants in their learning journey.

Dear Dr. Bello!

You spotted an important topic. I located some case studies to bring in value-added:

1) Mohamed, A.M., Shaaban, T.S., Bakry, S.H. et al. Empowering the Faculty of Education Students: Applying AI’s Potential for Motivating and Enhancing Learning. Innov High Educ (2024). https://doi.org/10.1007/s10755-024-09747-z, Open access:

Article Empowering the Faculty of Education Students: Applying AI’s ...

2) Zhou, X., Teng, D., & Al-Samarraie, H. (2024). The Mediating Role of Generative AI Self-Regulation on Students’ Critical Thinking and Problem-Solving. Education Sciences, 14(12), 1302. https://doi.org/10.3390/educsci14121302, Open access:

Article The Mediating Role of Generative AI Self-Regulation on Stude...

3) Fan, Y., Tang, L., Le, H., Shen, K., Tan, S., Zhao, Y., Shen, Y.,Li, X., & Gašević, D. (2024). Beware of metacognitive laziness: Effects of generative artificial intelligence on learning motivation, processes, and performance. British Journal of Educational Technology, 00, 1–42. https://doi.org/10.1111/bjet.13544, Available at:

Article Beware of metacognitive laziness: Effects of generative arti...

4) Ramazan Yilmaz, Fatma Gizem Karaoglan Yilmaz, The effect of generative artificial intelligence (AI)-based tool use on students' computational thinking skills, programming self-efficacy and motivation, Computers and Education: Artificial Intelligence, Volume 4, 2023, https://doi.org/10.1016/j.caeai.2023.100147, Open access: Article The effect of generative artificial intelligence (AI)-based ...

Sincerely, Bulcsu Szekely

Generative AI is really changing the way we approach self-regulated learning and critical thinking skills. It's quite exciting to see how this technology can support and enhance education.

For starters, generative AI can make learning much more personalized. Imagine having a learning companion that understands your unique pace and style. AI-driven platforms can analyze how you learn best and adapt the content accordingly. This means you can set your own goals, monitor your progress, and get feedback that's tailored just for you. It's like having a personal tutor available 24/7, guiding you and helping you stay on track.

When it comes to critical thinking, generative AI can be incredibly helpful, too. It can create scenarios, case studies, and simulations that challenge you to think deeply and solve problems. These interactive experiences push you to apply what you've learned, analyze different perspectives, and make informed decisions. It's a great way to develop those essential critical thinking skills in a real-world context.

However, there are some challenges to keep in mind. One potential issue is becoming too reliant on AI-generated content. It's important to balance AI tools with traditional teaching methods that encourage active participation and critical analysis. We don't want to end up just passively consuming information.

Another concern is ensuring the accuracy and fairness of AI-generated content. Educators need to be careful to review and validate the information provided by AI systems to make sure it's reliable and unbiased. In short, generative AI has the potential to significantly boost self-regulated learning and critical thinking skills by offering personalized, interactive, and challenging experiences.

But it's crucial to use it wisely, combining it with traditional educational practices and ensuring the content is trustworthy. This way, we can make the most of what AI has to offer in the world of education.