AI as a strategy to enhance academic writing in university students

Abstract

This study explores the role of Artificial Intelligence as an innovative strategy to enhance academic writing skills among university students. It examines how AI tools contribute to the development of writing competence, focusing on aspects such as grammar, coherence, structure, and learner autonomy. The study employs a qualitative and phenomenological approach using one.on.one interviews with five students from Pedagogy of National and Foreign Languages at Universidad Estatal Peninsula de Santa Elena. The findings indicated that AI tools are perceived as valuable support for overcoming writer’s block, organizing ideas and improving text structure. nomy. However, they also recognized potential risks such as dependency, plagiarism, and inaccuracies, emphasizing the necessity of ethical and responsible use. The research project concludes that AI should be integrated as a complementary pedagogical tool that strengthens students’ academic writing and promotes independent learning, rather than as a replacement for human reasoning and creativity.