EMPOWERING OR IMPAIRING? THE EFFECT OF GENERATIVE AI ON CLASS TEAMWORK, LEARNING AND ENGAGEMENT

Generative Artificial Intelligence (GAI) is transforming industries and daily life, prompting discussions about its implications for student learning in higher education.GAI tools support brainstorming, writing, and research processes, yet they may also lead to overreliance that undermines students' critical thinking, collaborative engagement, and independent problem-solving.This study used a quasi-experimental design to investigate the effects of AI-assisted teamwork on learning outcomes in undergraduate courses at a U.S. university.We compared students' performance on identical assignments in two course sections: one required using GAI tools in team projects, while the other restricted AI use.Results indicated that AI integration reduced team performance but enhanced creativity.These findings contribute to the ongoing discourse on AI in collaborative learning and offer guidance for institutional policies that balance innovation with meaningful educational experiences.