Critical AI literacy enhances doctoral students' writing skills

According to Senior lecturer Baraa Khuder, one of the researchers behind the study, the concept goes beyond simply knowing how to phrase questions for AI tools.

"It's about developing a critical awareness of AI's ethics, limitations, and its impact on academic writing. It's also about equipping students with the tools to take responsibility for their own learning," she explains.
The study tested a micro-curriculum designed for doctoral students, offering them the opportunity to experiment with AI in their writing process. Many participants initially had limited knowledge, and some expressed concerns about ethical issues, plagiarism, and AI's influence on academic work. However, the results showed a significant transformation by the end of the course.

"We saw a shift in how they approached AI," says Baraa Khuder. "From being skeptical and uncertain, they developed a nuanced understanding of AI's potential and limitations."
The study demonstrates that, with the right support and strategies, AI can be a powerful tool to enhance writing skills and critical thinking while also preparing students to address complex ethical issues.

"Participants learned to create effective prompts, critically evaluate AI outputs, and reflect on writing as a process of knowledge creation," Khuder adds.
The new concept and the results of the micro-curriculum provide valuable insights for universities and educators aiming to integrate AI into teaching. For students, it offers practical tools to become skilled and conscientious users of AI in their research projects.

"We need to prepare the next generation of researchers for a world where AI is a natural part of the academic landscape," says Baraa Khuder. "By integrating critical GAI literacy into education, universities can establish a sustainable foundation for both technological innovation and ethical reflection."

The Concept in Brief

The study introduces a framework for developing critical skills in using generative AI for academic writing. It focuses on four key areas:

• Interaction with GAI: Effective use and assessment of GAI tools.
• Ethical Aspects: Understanding AI's limitations, integrity concerns, and its impact on academic writing.
• Technical Values and Limitations: Critical evaluation of GAI's functionality and usability.
• Self-Directed Learning: Development of metacognitive awareness and the ability to self-regulate learning.

Read the publication: Conceptualising and cultivating Critical GAI Literacy in doctoral academic writing

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