When artificial intelligence substitutes humans in higher education: the cost of loneliness, student success, and retention

Artificial intelligence (AI) may be the new-new-norm in a post-pandemic learning environment. There is a growing number of university students using AI like ChatGPT and Bard to support their academic experience. Much of the AI in higher education research to date has focused on academic integrity and matters of authorship; yet, there may be unintended consequences beyond these concerns for students. That is, there may be people who reduce their formal social interactions while using these tools. This study evaluates 387 university students and their relationship to–and with–artificial intelligence large-language model-based tools. Using structural equation modelling, the study finds evidence that while AI…