Abstract:
The widespread adoption of Artificial Intelligence (AI) tools has transformed learning
environments in higher education. However, over-reliance on these tools has raised
concerns regarding their potential impact on students’ core cognitive capabilities.
This study aimed to examine the impact of over-reliance on AI tools on cognitive
capabilities among state university students in Sri Lanka. A quantitative research
design was adopted, identifying over-reliance on AI tools as the independent variable
and cognitive capabilities measured through critical thinking, decision-making, and
analytical thinking as the dependent variable. Data were collected from 384
undergraduates representing 17 state universities using a structured questionnaire and
analysed with SPSS. The regression analysis revealed that over-reliance on AI tools
had a strong and significant impact on cognitive capabilities (R² = 0.819, β = 0.905,
p < 0.001). Among the ethical dimensions contributing to over-reliance, AI
hallucination (β = 0.393) and plagiarism (β = 0.210) were identified as the strongest
predictors. These findings indicate that excessive use of AI tools impacts students’
independent thinking, analytical reasoning, and decision-making abilities. The study
recommends that higher education institutions in Sri Lanka establish clear guidelines
and awareness programmes to ensure responsible AI use, preserving essential
cognitive skills in the digital learning era.
