How Can We Prevent AI from Undermining Young People’s Motivation?

How can we boost motivation? 

According to self-determination theory, humans have three fundamental psychological needs: autonomy, relatedness, and competence. When these three needs are met, intrinsic motivation, our internal desires,increases.  

To illustrate this, let’s consider an example: It’s Sunday evening, and a teenager has an exam the next morning. While studying, he realizes that part of the material isn’t clear to him. Since his teacher isn’t available and his parents aren’t sufficiently familiar with the subject, he decides to find the answer on his own, using AI. This helps him better understand the material and avoid repeating the same mistakes.   

The Impact of AI on the Need for Autonomy  

The need for autonomy refers to the feeling of being in control of one’s actions. It is essential for motivation.  

In the example above, the teenager chooses to use AI to get help. He takes the initiative himself to find a solution to his problem. AI can therefore have a positive effect on the need for autonomy, since it allows young people to take responsibility for their own learning.  

However, this tool also carries certain risks. Because AI provides quick answers and makes it easier to complete tasks, teenagers may be tempted to rely on it more and more often. As a result, AI reduces intrinsic motivation. 

The Impact of AI on the Need to Belong   

The need to belong refers to the feeling of being part of a group. Having other people who share your passion or are at the same level as you is reassuring and unifying.  

In the example, rather than seeking help from a teacher or friends, the teenager interacts with an AI. This tool can sometimes foster a certain sense of support by offering immediate help. However, it does not replace human interactions.   

With AI, the sense of belonging is diminished not only toward teachers but also among peers. Teacher involvement is crucial in terms of listening, support, respect, and feedback. When these interactions are replaced by AI, the student-teacher relationship suffers. Furthermore, the use of AI can sometimes create tension between students who use it and those who perceive it as a form of cheating.   

The Impact of AI on the Sense of Competence  

The sense of competence refers to the feeling of being able to do something or seeing one’s own progress. Seeing improvement and growth can foster a sense of pride.   

In the example above, the teenager uses AI to better understand the subject matter. This increases their chances of succeeding on subsequent exercises and helps them feel more confident in their abilities.  

AI can reinforce a sense of competence by providing young people with quick explanations tailored to their learning styles. However, when AI does too much of the work, it takes away the challenging and interesting aspects of a task, which can lead to boredom. Students may also feel as though they are succeeding without truly developing their skills.   

Furthermore, with frequent use of AI, doing homework without it can seem tedious, less motivating, and even like a waste of time. Using AI requires less cognitive effort and happens almost instantly.  

4 Tips for Responsible Use of AI  

1. Understand the Reasons Behind the Use of AI  

First and foremost, it is important to try to understand why the young person is using AI. Understanding fosters dialogue rather than judgment. Furthermore, talking with the teen to understand how they use it and in what context will help you tailor your approach.   

2. Help the Teen Develop Critical Thinking Skills  

AI can make mistakes or provide false information. It is important to teach teens to verify the information generated and not to rely on it blindly. Raising their awareness of the risks associated with AI helps teens develop critical thinking skills and use it responsibly.   

At the same time, it is also important to recognize the positive uses of AI. It can be used to proofread a text, create study tools, or generate ideas. Just as with the risks, better understanding its benefits also helps young people use it more thoughtfully.   

3.Prevent It From Becoming a Habit 

AI should not replace the support of a teacher, parent, or loved one. Therefore, it is important to guide young people in their learning and remind them that there are other resources available to help them. 

To prevent AI from becoming a habit, it’s also important to encourage young people to reflect on whether their use of AI is appropriate. For example, each time they use AI, encourage them to ask themselves whether it’s truly necessary or if another solution would be more appropriate.  

4.Lead by example! 

Leading by example is an effective way to guide the use of AI. When a parent uses AI thoughtfully,for example at work or for specific tasks, they become a positive role model for the young person. 

Conversely, choosing not to use it when it’s not necessary also sends a clear message: Not all answers need to be instant. Taking the time to think, to search on one’s own, or to discuss with others values effort and the development of knowledge.  

Références 

Revue internationale des technologies en pédagogie universitaire, L’intelligence artificielle (IA) : amie ou ennemie de la motivation des étudiants et étudiantes universitaires 
UQÀM, Étude sur l’adoption de l’IA générative vue par les ados et leurs parents
Avantages, L’IA générative éreinte la motivation