Does Artificial Intelligence (AI) Nurture or Hinder Language Learners' Higher‐ Order Thinking Skills (HOTS)? A Phenomenological Study on L2 Learners' Perspectives and Lived Experiences

ABSTRACT The integration of artificial intelligence (AI) in language classrooms has sparked some debates among academics and educators regarding the potential implications of this advanced technology for learners’ cognitive development. To resolve these debates, some research studies have recently probed the influences of AI technologies on students’ higher‐order thinking skills (HOTS), which are crucial for creativity, critical thinking, and problem‐solving. However, due to the excessive reliance of previous studies on quantitative research approaches, the ways in which AI can influence students’ higher‐order thinking skills are still not thoroughly understood. To gain a deeper insight into the effects of AI…