Few technologies have impacted the academic landscape as profoundly and rapidly as ChatGPT. This language model from OpenAI has quickly evolved from an experimental novelty into an everyday tool in schools, universities, and research centers around the globe. But does this rising popularity actually translate into better learning outcomes — or are we becoming dangerously reliant on ready-made answers?
That’s the question behind an international study conducted by institutions in Bangladesh, Malaysia, and Kazakhstan. The focus was to understand the role of ChatGPT in the teaching of business mathematics — a discipline that demands logical reasoning, precision, and problem-solving skills. The result is a detailed picture of how students and educators are using (and evaluating) this AI tool in their academic routines.
Undergraduate, Master’s and PhD students — and their professors — show high acceptance
The study surveyed 410 students across undergraduate, graduate, and doctoral levels. Researchers administered a questionnaire on the use of ChatGPT in learning management-oriented mathematics — including econometrics, programming, and complex problem solving. Professors from various institutions also participated.
The research also investigated satisfaction levels, types of problems solved with ChatGPT’s assistance, and perceptions of the tool’s pedagogical value.
The data revealed a high rate of adoption:
📈 77% of students had used ChatGPT to solve business mathematics problems.
📈 61% reported using it for complex problems, while 37% used it for simpler tasks.
📈 92.9% of respondents said ChatGPT helped them improve programming skills.
📈 Regarding satisfaction, 43% of students rated it 4 or 5 on a scale of 1 to 5.
Among professors, 67% reported turning to ChatGPT to prepare lectures, develop activities, or deepen their knowledge.
These numbers suggest that ChatGPT is no longer a futuristic promise — it’s already a real presence in classrooms worldwide, especially in subjects that require structured thinking like math, economics, and programming.
Why is ChatGPT so appealing to students and teachers?
For students, ChatGPT proves to be a powerful ally in their academic journey. One of its standout features is its ability to understand and respond to questions asked in natural language. This allows learners to interact with the model as they would with a human tutor, making it accessible across all education levels — from elementary school to postgraduate studies.
ChatGPT also assists students in understanding and solving complex problems, offering detailed explanations and step-by-step solutions across various disciplines such as math, physics, languages, and literature.
Moreover, it can generate exercises and quizzes on multiple subjects, providing students with extra opportunities to practice and reinforce their learning.
For students with disabilities, ChatGPT offers functionalities like speech-to-text and text-to-speech conversion, significantly increasing accessibility in education.
On the teacher’s side, ChatGPT also serves as a valuable tool for both research and instruction. In lesson planning, the model can help create comprehensive course outlines in subjects like math, chemistry, physics, computer science, civil engineering, languages, and literature. It can also generate exercises, activities, and visual aids tailored to specific topics, enabling educators to deliver more engaging and effective classes.
Additionally, ChatGPT can create customized test questions adjusted to both the subject and the desired difficulty level.
One of ChatGPT’s greatest advantages for educators is the possibility of offering personalized learning support. By analyzing student performance, teachers can identify areas of difficulty and use ChatGPT to generate tailored resources and activities. For example, if a student struggles with sorting algorithms, a teacher can use ChatGPT to create custom exercises suited to that student’s learning style and aptitude.
ChatGPT can also assist in answering student questions, freeing up valuable time for other instructional tasks. Its ability to summarize information in response to complex queries is particularly useful.
When it comes to assessments, ChatGPT helps grade assignments and quizzes. It can also generate test questions with varying levels of difficulty on the same topic.
Not everything is perfect: risks highlighted by the study
Despite the enthusiasm, the researchers warn of five major challenges in using ChatGPT in education:
- Plagiarism and academic dishonesty – many students may use AI to “outsource” assignments.
- Loss of critical thinking – ready-made answers reduce cognitive effort.
- Difficulty in detection – AI-generated texts are becoming increasingly natural and harder to identify.
- Overdependence – habitual use of AI may hinder genuine learning.
- Bias and misinformation – ChatGPT may provide inaccurate or biased answers without the student realizing.
Despite these limitations and complexities, the study argues that these risks can be mitigated. It is crucial to ensure fair and reliable access to large language models (LLMs) for educational and academic purposes. With a cautious and informed approach, educators, students, and institutions can harness the benefits of ChatGPT while minimizing its potential drawbacks — shaping a more dynamic and tech-integrated future of education.
Strategies for ethical and responsible use
Fortunately, the study also outlines strategies to address these risks:
- Complement assignments with oral evaluations to ensure students truly understand the material.
- Use AI-detection tools in assignments and online tests.
- Establish clear guidelines for acceptable use.
- Promote AI as a support tool for learning, not as a replacement for genuine effort.
Rather than banning AI, the authors advocate for educational programs to raise awareness among students and teachers about the possibilities and limitations of these technologies.
ChatGPT: the scientific calculator of the 21st century?
The study concludes that ChatGPT may have an impact similar to that of scientific calculators in past decades. At first, those tools were met with resistance — but over time, they became accepted as legitimate aids for mathematical reasoning.
The same may be true for generative AI, provided it is used responsibly.
The future of education will depend on a critical and productive coexistence with artificial intelligence. The question is: are we preparing our students for this?
💬 What about you — what do you think of ChatGPT in the classroom? How do you view this revolution in learning? Share your thoughts in the comments!
Read full article on the Multidisciplinary Reviews website.
This research was conducted by:
Mahadi Hasan Miraza, Astana IT University, Kazakhstan
Hwang Ha Jin, Sunway University, Malaysia
Monowar Mahmood, United International University, Bangladesh
Mohammad Tariq Hasan, United International University, Bangladesh
James Bakul Sarkar, United International University, Bangladesh
Narishah Mohamed Salleh, Sunway University, Malaysia
AHM Yeaseen Chowdhury, Bangladesh University of Professionals, Bangladesh
Ver essa foto no Instagram
