Impact of AI Use on Students' Learning Competencies and Mental Health at Higher Education Institutions

The utilization of artificial intelligence (AI) in higher education institutions is inevitably on the rise. While it offers numerous advantages, particularly in academia, it adversely affects users' mental health and learning capabilities by hindering the development of creative skills. The current study examined the relationship between AI usage and mental health as well as learning competencies through a correlational design employing a deductive approach. To provide greater demographic representation, stratified and random sampling techniques were employed to engage participants. Survey data were collected from 175 undergraduate students utilizing a five-point Likert scale instrument. The results indicate an enhancement in students' cognitive abilities and self-directed learning, with a somewhat positive and statistically significant association between AI usage and its direct impact on students' psychological well-being. To maintain academic integrity, it is essential to emphasize the requisite institutional standards about AI usage. This study, confined to the higher education sector, has implications for other settings.