Artificial Intelligence-Assisted Literary Pedagogy and its Influence on Students' Critical Thinking, Engagement, and Interpretive Skills in English Literature Classrooms

The integration of Artificial Intelligence (AI) in education is transforming teaching and learning practices, particularly in language and literature classrooms. This study examines the influence of AI-assisted literary pedagogy on students' critical thinking, engagement, and interpretive skills in English literature classrooms. AI-powered tools—such as intelligent tutoring systems, text analysis applications, and adaptive learning platforms—are increasingly being used to support personalized learning experiences and enhance students' interaction with literary texts. The study adopts a mixed-method approach to investigate how AI-supported instructional strategies impact students' ability to analyze themes, interpret literary devices, and engage meaningfully with texts. It also explores how AI fosters collaborative learning, immediate feedback, and deeper comprehension, thereby promoting higher-order thinking skills. However, the research further considers challenges associated with the use of AI in literary pedagogy, including over-reliance on technology, reduced human interaction, and ethical concerns related to academic integrity. The findings of this study provide valuable insights for educators, curriculum designers, and policymakers on effectively integrating AI into literature instruction to improve students' cognitive and interpretive outcomes. This study contributes to the growing discourse on technology-enhanced learning and its implications for 21st-century education.