The Impact of AI Use in Programming Courses on Critical Thinking Skills

Proficiency in computer programming extends far beyond memorizing syntax; it depends on the cultivation of critical thinking. Computer programming requires multiple interconnected competencies, including systematic problem analysis, algorithmic reasoning, mastery of programming languages, debugging capabilities, a comprehensive understanding of software development methodologies, rigorous testing practices, and systematic troubleshooting approaches. These skills are also essential for cybersecurity experts; cybersecurity programs require several programming courses to enhance students’ technical and critical thinking skills. Generative AI (GenAI) technologies have fundamentally changed the process of developing applications and approaches to teaching coding. The growing use of GenAI technologies by students in writing computer code has raised not only concerns about academic integrity but also their impact on the development of critical thinking skills, which are typically reinforced by assigning coding exercises that require students to rely on those skills to solve them. This paper presents the results of an empirical study examining students' perceptions of using GenAI in coding assignments and its impact on critical thinking among cybersecurity students. The findings show that students use GenAI extensively to debug and correct their code. Findings also show that the use of GenAI should be structured to fully support the development of critical thinking skills.