Role of AI in Enhancing Critical Thinking in Science Education: Challenges and Opportunities for Science Instructor

The integration of artificial intelligence (AI) in education has the potential to revolutionize teaching and learning, particularly in the development of students’ critical thinking skills. This study explores science instructors' familiarity, perceptions, and experiences with using AI to enhance students' critical thinking skills, as well as the level of institutional support for AI integration in teaching. A quantitative survey was conducted among 20 science instructors from higher education institutions in Isabela, Philippines. The findings reveal that while instructors acknowledge AI's potential to improve educational outcomes, there is a significant gap in formal AI training and literacy among educators. Positive correlations were found between AI literacy, AI integration, and critical thinking development, suggesting that as AI literacy increases, AI integration and enhancement of critical thinking skills also increase. Regression analysis identified AI integration as a significant predictor of critical thinking development. Challenges remain in the effective implementation of AI, including concerns about overreliance on AI-generated responses and the need for clear assessment guidelines. Interestingly, years of teaching experience did not significantly influence participants’ AI literacy, perceptions, or integration. This study highlights the importance of developing comprehensive AI literacy programs for educators and integrating AI into curriculum structures to balance AI-enhanced learning with human-centered pedagogy. These findings emphasize the need for thoughtful implementation and ongoing research to effectively leverage AI in promoting critical thinking skills in science education.