LEVERAGING ARTIFICIAL INTELLIGENCE (AI) IN HIGHER EDUCATION: FOSTERING SOFT SKILLS COMMUNICATION, COLLABORATION, CREATIVITY AND CRITICAL THINKING AMONG UNIVERSITY STUDENTS

Background: Artificial intelligence (AI) has become a transformative force in higher education, reshaping traditional learning paradigms and fostering essential 21st-century skills. AI-powered tools enhance collaboration, communication, critical thinking, and creativity, equipping students with competencies necessary for academic and professional success. However, concerns regarding over-reliance on AI and its potential limitations in fostering independent ideation persist. This study examines the impact of AI on university students' skill development, identifying both opportunities and challenges in AI-integrated learning environments. Objective: The study aims to investigate the extent to which AI contributes to the enhancement of collaboration, communication, critical thinking, and creativity among university students. It further explores the implications of AI usage on cognitive skill development and the necessity of complementary instructional strategies. Methods: A quantitative research approach with a cross-sectional survey design was employed. A self-developed structured questionnaire, validated through a pilot study (Cronbach’s alpha = 0.87), was used for data collection. The sample comprised 300 undergraduate and graduate students from public sector universities in Punjab, selected via stratified random sampling. Data analysis was conducted using t-tests, ANOVA, and multiple regression to determine significant relationships between AI usage and skill development. Results: Significant gender differences were observed in collaboration (p = .034) and critical thinking (p = .006), with female students scoring higher than males. One-way ANOVA indicated that students with high AI usage had significantly better collaboration (p = .002), communication (p = .007), and critical thinking skills (p < .001) compared to those with low AI exposure. Multiple regression analysis confirmed AI usage as a strong predictor of collaboration (β = .29, p < .001), communication (β = .24, p = .005), and critical thinking (β = .36, p < .001), while its impact on creativity was not statistically significant (p = .059). Conclusion: The findings highlight AI’s effectiveness in enhancing collaboration, communication, and critical thinking skills, yet its role in fostering creativity remains inconclusive. While AI enriches structured learning experiences, independent ideation requires complementary pedagogical strategies. Institutions should integrate AI responsibly to maximize its benefits while mitigating its limitations.