HUMAN MATHEMATICAL REASONING IN THE AI ERA : A COMPARATIVE ANALYSIS OF SKILL DEVELOPMENT AND COGNITIVE DEPENDENCY

Artificial Intelligence (AI) has become an integral component of contemporary mathematics education, offering tools that support problem-solving, feedback, and conceptual understanding. This study investigates the influence of AI on human mathematical reasoning, with particular emphasis on skill development and cognitive dependency. Data were collected from 173 undergraduate students using a structured questionnaire based on a five-point Likert scale. The study examines relationships between AI usage, mathematical reasoning ability, comparative reasoning performance, and cognitive dependency. The findings reveal a strong positive correlation between AI usage and mathematical reasoning skills (r = 0.65), as well as comparative reasoning performance (r = 0.60), indicating that AI-assisted learning enhances accuracy, efficiency, and the ability to evaluate multiple solution strategies. However, results also show a moderate positive correlation between AI usage and cognitive dependency (r = 0.48), suggesting that excessive reliance on AI tools may reduce independent problem-solving and critical thinking. Survey responses further indicate that many students prefer manual problem-solving for better conceptual retention and deeper understanding. The study concludes that AI is most effective when used as a supportive learning aid rather than a replacement for human reasoning. Balanced and guided integration of AI can enhance mathematical learning outcomes while preserving essential cognitive and analytical skills.