Artificial Intelligence (AI) in Humanities and Social Sciences: A Hero or a Villain

Abstract

Human Intelligence has always dominated all the domains in the world. Industrialization is a turning point in the evolution of mankind. Since then there have been significant changes in the sphere of technology with diverse implications. At present, in the fourth Industrial Revolution, the role of Artificial intelligence (AI) is paramount, infiltrating almost any field in the planet. Unlike the traditional AI, which focuses on analysing existing data for the purpose of performing specific tasks, Generative AI creates new content on its own, learning from a large number of data input. While the application of Generative AI tools might be of assistance in certain disciplines, especially natural sciences, they have serious impact, both positive and negative, upon the humanities and social sciences, which heavily rely on creativity, analytical skills and critical-thinking skills. This study aims to explore the impact of Artificial Intelligence(AI) tools on undergraduates pursuing Humanities and Social sciences. The present study employs a mixedmethod approach. Questionnaires and focus group discussion with students and systematic observation serve as the primary source of data for the study to understand the behaviour of undergraduates producing AI-generated work, alongside its pros and cons. Academic literature serves as the secondary source of data for the study. Scholarly journals, books, and websites provide this paper with a range of information. The overall findings of the study suggest that although the Generative Artificial Intelligence tools have benefitted natural Science students to a larger extent, due to over-reliance on the AI tools, it has notably affected the Humanities and Social science students who are expected to use their own creativity, analytical skills, criticalthinking skills and research skills, affecting the inherent potential of the students. Furthermore, These disciplines tend to lose their currency owing to the dominating nature of the AI tools. The analysis of the data reveals that despite the overt benefits of the Generative AI tools in the Humanities and social sciences, excessive usage of the tools tend to erode the expected output of the Humanities and Social sciences. The research concludes that the exploitation of the Generative AI tools is inevitable and yet, undergraduates should be prudent enough to use them to an optimal degree in order to supplement their inherent potential.