EXPLORING THE IMPACT OF AI DRIVEN STUDY TOOLS ON ACADEMIC PERFORMANCE & MOTIVATION AND ITS ASSOCIATION WITH CRITICAL THINKING AMONG UNIVERSITY GOING STUDENTS

Abstract

Background and Introduction: In modern years, the prompt progression of artificial intelligence (AI) has considerably altered the setting of instruction. It has transformed how students learn, offering modified feedback, adaptive content, and greater convenience. While AI tools may update learning, it is unclear whether they promote deep analytical thinking or encourage reliance. This study discovers how AI tools affect academic performance and motivation and discovers their association with critical thinking among university students. Objective: To find the impact of AI driven study tools on academic performance & motivation among university students. To find the association of AI driven study tools with Critical thinking among university students. Methods: The data was collected by the 186 participants from the university students who meet the eligibility requirements from University of Management and Technology, University of Lahore, Punjab University and Superior University. The paper survey was used for the data gathering. The form was filled at the spot. Parental article questionnaire was used. Results: Out of 186 participants, 83.8% reported frequent use of AI-powered study tools, with over 70% agreeing that these tools improved their academic performance, including grades, assignment quality, and exam preparation. Approximately 86% of students found AI tools easy to use, motivating, and reliable. Regarding critical thinking, a majority showed strong agreement with higher-order skills such as creating (63.5%), applying (61.2%), and evaluating (59.1%), while responses for analyzing and remembering were more moderate. The results suggest a positive correlation between AI tool usage and academic performance and motivation, with a partial association with critical thinking development. Conclusion: The study examined the effect of AI-driven study tools on academic performance and motivation, and their association with critical thinking among undergraduate university students in Lahore, Pakistan. With the rapid integration of artificial intelligence in education, understanding its influence on learners has become essential for shaping effective digital learning strategies.