Perceived Influence of Artificial Intelligence on Undergraduate Student Information Literacy, Critical Thinking and Academic Research Skills

In the modern digital age, students are equipped with different skills, such as information literacy skills, critical thinking skills, and academic research skills, among others, to thrive within the academic environment. Therefore, students are living in an era where AI-powered tools like Jenni AI, Meta, ChatGPT, Scite AI and more have emerged as transformative technologies that have gained attention within the educational realm. The paper aims to assess the perceived influence of artificial intelligence (AI) on information literacy, critical thinking and academic research skills among students in federal universities in South-East Nigeria. Using a descriptive survey research design, the study analyses how AI influences the stated skills. The target population consists of all third- and fourth-year Economics Education students in the 2022/2023 academic session from the University of Nigeria, Nsukka, Nnamdi Azikiwe University, Awka and Alvan Ikoku Federal University of Education, Owerri, which are recognised as the three Federal Universities in South East Nigeria that offer Economics Education; they comprise 336 students.  The 180 third- and fourth-year Economics Education sample was selected using the Raosoft sample size calculator. A multi-stage sampling procedure was adopted. The instrument for data collection was a structured questionnaire titled Perceived Influence of Artificial Intelligence on Information Literacy, Critical Thinking and Academic Research Skills-Questionnaire (PIAIILCTARSQ). The data collected were analysed using mean and standard deviation. The study reveals that AI significantly impacted the information literacy of Economics Education students by aiding in keyword search and comparison of sources, among others. It has also enhanced critical thinking and value judgment.. Moreover, the research revealed the challenges that economic education students face when using AI. Based on the findings, among others, recommended that schools and universities seek opportunities for international collaboration between educators and researchers on the best mechanism to embrace AI