ChatGPT to Motivate Critical Thinking in the Teaching–Learning Process of First Semester Students at the Technical University of Ambato

Critical thinking (CP) is one of the most frequently mentioned forms of thinking in the literature. CP represents a resource for self-evaluation and the transformation of one's own environment and constitutes a fundamental element in the personal and professional sphere. Although many university teachers recognize the importance of including its development in curricular planning, the persistence of traditional pedagogical models and poor teacher preparation make it difficult to implement qualitative changes in teaching–learning processes. On the other hand, the worldwide release of the ChatGPT tool is revolutionizing the way students and teachers are transforming the way they have been developing educational activities; in the present study, ChatGPT, being a language model based on artificial intelligence schemes, contributes to critical thinking in first semester undergraduate students. By testing the effectiveness of integrating ChatGPT into classroom activities as an interactive tool to promote discussion and problem solving, encouraging results have been obtained that demonstrate its ability to motivate critical thinking among students. Through the analysis and evaluation of ideas along with the creation of solid arguments using ChatGPT design elements, preliminary results suggest that the improvement of students’ capacity for active learning can be further supported through the implementation of this technology in educational practices in general. With the present research we have presented some definitions of CP and some of the main tests used at the university level to measure its development. Secondly, we have assessed five PC skills (analysis, inference, evaluation, deductive reasoning, and inductive reasoning) in first semester undergraduate students at the Technical University of Ambato-Ecuador. From the data obtained it has been possible to observe different levels of development among the skills.