The role of ChatGPT in the development of academic skills according to study areas

Abstract

This study examines the perceived usefulness of ChatGPT in developing specific academic skills among students from various fields of study. Using a quantitative and comparative approach, responses from students in Social Sciences and Humanities, Natural Sciences, Technical Areas, and Exact Sciences were analysed regarding ChatGPT’s utility in three key skills: communication, idea generation, and information synthesis. Results show significant variations in the perceived usefulness of ChatGPT across disciplines. Students in Social Sciences and Humanities highly value ChatGPT for organising and expressing ideas, while Natural Sciences students find it more useful for synthesising complex information. Conversely, students in technical and exact areas perceive lower utility, likely due to the specific precision and technical demands of their fields. This study contributes to the literature on artificial intelligence (AI) in education by emphasising the need for an adaptive approach to AI implementation to maximise its effectiveness. Implications for higher education and recommendations for responsible, tailored integration of AI to enhance academic skills are discussed.