Fostering Responsible AI Use in College Students Without Overdependence

This study examines how higher education institutions can guide students toward responsible use of artificial intelligence (AI) without fostering overdependence on generative technologies. Students increasingly use AI tools such as ChatGPT and Claude for writing, brainstorming, studying, and research support, often without formal instruction on ethical or critical use. At the same time, faculty and institutions continue to navigate concerns related to academic integrity, assessment, and policy development. The study examines the gap between rapid student adoption and slower institutional readiness, emphasizing the need to develop AI literacy, ethical reasoning, source verification, and critical thinking skills that enable students to use AI as a support tool rather than a replacement for independent thought.