Research workshop: Critical thinking in the age of AI

« Critical thinking in the age of AI: challenges and opportunities for learning » is an all-day research workshop which will be held on the 26th of November 2025 at the Learning Planet Institute. It brings together experts from various backgrounds to explore the evolving role of AI in shaping and assessing critical thinking in the context of learning and education.

The workshop is organised by the Research Unit Learning Transitions (UR LT).

By invitation only

Short description of the workshop

Critical thinking is one of the most important skills for learners in today’s rapidly evolving, globalized world. It is essential for evaluating information, solving problems, and making informed decisions in both academic and real-world settings. While Artificial Intelligence (AI) has the potential to foster critical thinking by providing learners with timely feedback that enhances the quality of their reasoning (Ferman et al, 2021), research also highlights significant risks. Studies show that students frequently accept AI-generated outputs uncritically, simply inputting prompts and copying responses rather than using AI to construct well-reasoned arguments (Lee et al., 2024). Over-reliance on AI for problem-solving or content generation risks encouraging passive learning, which contradicts the objective of cultivating engaged, critical thinkers (Macedo-Rouet, 2025). 

This workshop will explore the evolving role of AI in fostering and assessing critical thinking. Key questions include: How can AI-powered tools promote deeper analysis and reasoning rather than superficial solutions? How can we design AI to enhance collaboration and problem-solving instead of automating them? And how can we assess whether AI genuinely supports critical thinking in education and collective intelligence?

The workshop is structured around three interconnected phases, drawing on principles of human-centered design, participatory design, and co-design: establishing a common understanding, identifying research objectives and designing research prototypes.

This workshop is part of a series on AI in learning organized by the UR LT. The previous workshops have explored the topics « Ethics of AI » (January 2024), « AI for Collective Intelligence » (December 2024) and « AI & self-governance » (April 2025).