The Role of ChatGPT in Education: Applications, Challenges: Insights From a Systematic Review

Aim/Purpose: The purpose of this systematic review is to identify and analyze the current findings of empirical research on the use of ChatGPT in school and higher education. Background: As AI reshapes education, the adoption of ChatGPT has the potential to revolutionize teaching and learning in school and higher educational settings. Meanwhile, substantial ethical questions and practical challenges are raised by the implementation of such technology at these educational levels, which must be carefully considered. Methodology: To address the research questions, a systematic literature review (SLR) was conducted based on the Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses (PRISMA) protocol. As part of the SLR, articles published between January 2023 and January 2024 were sought. The search query consisted of the various Boolean operators and search terms. The search was conducted in Scopus, Web of Science, ProQuest, SSRN, ERIC and DOAJ, Science Direct, Springer Link, Taylor & Francis, and IEEEXplore. Additionally, a manual search was carried out in scientific journals focusing on the field of emerging technologies in education. Of the 1,653 articles identified, 77 were selected through the application of inclusion and exclusion criteria. After reviewing the abstracts of the selected studies, 50 articles were included in the review. Contribution: This SLR presents an innovative exploration of ChatGPT’s potential in both university and school education. By examining its performance, ethical implications, and impact on student outcomes, the review provides a valuable resource for educators and researchers. It not only updates existing knowledge but also provides new insights into educational practices and use cases. Findings: The study revealed that while ChatGPT can enhance students’ cognitive performance and critical thinking skills, its capacity for deep, creative, and complex problem-solving is limited. Additionally, ethical challenges such as academic integrity violations, copyright infringements, and the propagation of biased content were identified. Recommendations for Practitioners: Practitioners are encouraged to foster a culture of prompt engineering and AI literacy among educators and students, enabling the effective integration of AI conversational agents into educational settings while addressing potential limitations and ethical concerns. Recommendation for Researchers: Researchers should direct their efforts towards more empirical research evidence in the domain of K-12 education with a specific focus on both secondary and primary education. Impact on Society: ChatGPT and similar tools have the potential to revolutionize education. Their effective integration can create more engaging and effective learning experiences, preparing students for the future. Future Research: Further investigation is needed in terms of the use of advanced conversational AI models in the areas of primary education and ethical frameworks, which are underrepresented as well as in non-formal, informal, and special education settings.