Research from Indonesia's International Conference on Education explores how AI-based ChatGPT creates both opportunities and challenges for developing creative writing skills. Learn evidence-based strategies to use AI productively while preserving originality.
A research paper published in the proceedings of the International Conference on Education, Society and Humanity (ICESH) examines a critical question facing modern education: How does AI-based ChatGPT impact students' creative writing development?
The study by Muhammad Shidiq from Universitas Nurul Jadid in Indonesia provides a nuanced analysis of ChatGPT's dual nature—offering convenience while potentially undermining the creative skills that education aims to develop.
Today's students—Generation Y, Z, and Alpha—are digital natives who interact with technology as naturally as breathing. According to the research, 54% of Indonesia's digital generation are active internet users, creating a new paradigm in education.
These generations encounter AI technologies regularly, including:
Among these technologies, ChatGPT stands out for its ability to understand and generate human language—making it particularly relevant for writing-related tasks.
Unlike previous educational technologies, ChatGPT can:
| Capability | Educational Impact |
|---|---|
| Understand natural language | Students can ask questions as they would a teacher |
| Generate coherent text | Can produce essays, poems, stories in seconds |
| Adapt to different formats | Formal, informal, creative writing styles |
| Process information instantly | Removes barriers to information gathering |
This versatility creates both unprecedented opportunities and significant challenges for developing creative writing skills.
The research identifies a fundamental tension: ChatGPT's ease of use may reduce the originality of student work.
"The ease of ChatGPT in processing information from text input reduces the originality of work, so it tends to be uncreative."
When students can generate poems, short stories, or essays with quality "equivalent to human work" at the click of a button, the question becomes: Where does the learning happen?
Creative writing is not an innate talent—it's a skill developed through practice, guidance, and process. According to the research:
Traditional Creative Writing Development:
With ChatGPT:
The research cites evidence that creative writing stimulates balanced development of both brain hemispheres. The natural learning system that writing activates helps learners:
When ChatGPT handles these processes externally, students miss crucial opportunities for cognitive development.
The study identifies specific areas where ChatGPT cannot replace human-centered learning:
"Learning requires direct interaction (emotional connection) carried out by the teacher and requires modeling or examples in the learning process to achieve academic success, while ChatGPT cannot do this."
Why it matters: Creative writing benefits from seeing the human process—watching a teacher draft, revise, and think through problems provides irreplaceable modeling.
"Learning requires creativity to create new ideas and innovations that are given to students to obtain feedback that can be developed by individuals, while ChatGPT does not have the creativity that humans have."
Why it matters: True creativity emerges from human experience, emotion, and unique perspective—elements ChatGPT cannot replicate.
"ChatGPT cannot capture the nuances and learning styles of students which may be different for each individual."
Why it matters: Creative writing instruction must adapt to individual strengths, weaknesses, and interests—something AI cannot dynamically assess and respond to.
"Socially, relying too much on ChatGPT can make individuals feel inferior because they do not understand how to interact with their social environment."
Why it matters: Writing is often a social activity—sharing work, receiving peer feedback, and discussing ideas develops both writing and social skills.
"Psychologically, relying too much on ChatGPT can make individuals weak in thinking critically so that when problems arise in everyday life, it will be difficult for individuals (users) to resolve them."
Why it matters: The struggle of creating something original builds resilience and problem-solving abilities essential for life beyond the classroom.
The research emphasizes that teachers remain essential—but their role must evolve:
Traditional Teacher Role → Modern Teacher Role:
| From | To |
|---|---|
| Transmitter of knowledge | Facilitator of learning |
| Source of information | Learning partner and mentor |
| Normative assessor | Comprehensive evaluator |
| Rigorous instructor | Creative and innovative guide |
| Using media as objects | Using media as tools |
Based on the research findings, here are evidence-based approaches for minimizing negative AI impacts:
1. Return to Paper-Based Assessment
The research cites Cassidy (2022), recommending:
"Use paper as the medium... to measure students' ability in writing skills."
Paper-based assignments allow teachers to:
2. Implement Communicative-Based Learning
The study emphasizes:
"Communicative-based writing learning is oriented toward learning that involves teacher-student communicative interaction to explore students' ideas as writing materials."
This means:
3. Focus on Appreciative-Based Learning
Respecting students as learners includes:
4. Design AI-Resistant Assignments
Create tasks that:
Despite the challenges, the research acknowledges AI's legitimate educational benefits:
Supportive AI Uses:
The research suggests AI becomes problematic when it replaces thinking rather than supporting it:
| Productive Use | Problematic Use |
|---|---|
| Generate ideas to develop independently | Copy-paste without evaluation |
| Research background information | Submit AI output as own work |
| Check grammar after writing | Generate entire assignments |
| Explore different perspectives | Rely on AI for thinking |
| Reduce routine cognitive load | Avoid creative struggle |
The research positions this discussion within Education 4.0 and Industrial Revolution 4.0, which require students to develop:
"It becomes necessary for the world of education to participate in making changes in its learning system to increase the competitiveness of graduates in competing to equip them with the ability to think critically, creatively and collaboratively."
Students who over-rely on AI may find themselves less competitive in a job market that values original thinking and problem-solving.
At Archiv, we've designed our AI learning platform to promote active engagement while preserving the creative and critical thinking skills this research shows are at risk.
Unlike ChatGPT's tendency to provide immediate responses, Archiv's AI:
Our approach aligns with the research's emphasis on process-based learning:
| Research Recommendation | Archiv Implementation |
|---|---|
| Teacher-student communicative interaction | AI dialogue that explores ideas with students |
| Process over product | Learning journeys that value engagement |
| Appreciative-based learning | Supportive AI that respects student efforts |
| Balance creativity with technology | Tools that enhance rather than replace thinking |
Archiv's design prevents the passive consumption that threatens creative development:
This research from Indonesia's International Conference on Education, Society and Humanity provides crucial guidance for navigating AI in education:
"Teachers can play a fundamental role in guiding students in the responsible and reflective use of such resources, encouraging independent research and critical evaluation of information provided by chatbots."
Understanding these dynamics empowers students to use AI productively—developing both the skills to leverage new technologies and the critical/creative abilities that make human contribution valuable.
At Archiv, we're committed to building AI learning tools that embody these research findings—supporting the active engagement that develops genuine thinking skills while avoiding the passive consumption that threatens them.
Shidiq, M. (2023). The Use of Artificial Intelligence-based ChatGPT and its Challenges for the World of Education; From the Viewpoint of the Development of Creative Writing Skills. Proceedings of International Conference on Education, Society and Humanity, 1(1), 353-357. https://ejournal.unuja.ac.id/index.php/icesh
Ready to experience AI-assisted learning that develops rather than replaces your thinking? Start your journey with Archiv and discover how AI can enhance your learning while preserving your creativity and critical thinking abilities.