The impact of artificial intelligence on the development of critical thinking in students: pedagogical approaches and challenges

Introduction. The article examines the impact of artificial intelligence (AI) technologies on the development of critical thinking in students. Modern pedagogical approaches aimed at improving the level of personal development of school-children, improving academic discipline, stimulating productive knowledge, skills of independent choice, critical analysis, reflection and independent thinking in a digital educational environment are discussed. The main challenges faced by teachers and users when implementing AI in the educational process are described, as well as examples and recommendations for overcoming them. Purpose setting. The relevance of considering this topic is due to the fact that the modern educational space is actively being transformed under the influence of digital technologies and AI. One of the key aspects of the introduction of AI into educational processes is its impact on the development of critical thinking in students. The methodology and methodology of the study. In the article, within the framework of the author’s personal pedagogical activity, which is based on a systematic approach to the analysis of the educational process using AI, as well as on pedagogical theories of the development of critical thinking, it is shown that modern pedagogical practices based on the use of AI determine the positive and negative sides of its application. Results. The article defines that AI systems, such as intelligent learning platforms, help students analyze large amounts of information and identify key aspects. However, they limit the independence of students if they are used without proper pedagogical support. AI contributes to the formation of information synthesis skills through the generation of problem tasks and automatic feedback. However, dependence on algorithms can reduce the depth of independent analytical work. Conclusion. AI provides significant opportunities for the development of critical thinking in students, in particular, through adaptive learning and automated feedback. However, the effective use of technology requires a conscious pedagogical approach aimed at combining digital and traditional teaching methods. Teachers need to adapt their approaches in order not only to stimulate the cognitive activity of students, but also to minimize potential risks, such as a decrease in independent thinking.