The effectiveness of a training program based on employing artificial intelligence applications, (ChatGPT as a model), in developing critical thinking skills among joint first-year students at King Saud University.

This study aimed to measure the effectiveness of a training program utilizing Artificial Intelligence (AI) applications, particularly ChatGPT, in developing critical thinking skills among first-year, common year students at King Saud University. The researcher employed a quasi-experimental methodology due to its suitability for the study’s objectives and hypotheses. The study was applied to a sample of 88 scientific-track students from the Common First Year at King Saud University in which the researcher utilized the Watson-Glaser Critical Thinking Appraisal test, translated and adapted into Arabic by Al-Raqqas (2013). The findings revealed a statistically significant difference at the 0.01 level between the pre-test and post-test mean scores of the experimental group in critical thinking skills, favoring the post-test with a t-value of 3.96. The results also revealed statistically significant differences at the 0.01 level between the mean scores of the experimental group students, who participated in a training program utilizing artificial intelligence to develop critical thinking skills, and those of the control group students, who studied traditionally using the University Skills textbook as the primary reference. The differences favored the experimental group in the post-application assessment. These findings underscore the importance of integrating AI tools like ChatGPT to create interactive learning environments that foster deep understanding, organize information more efficiently, enhance learning and study strategies, and improve analytical and evaluative skills, which are core components of critical thinking.