The Role of ChatGPT in Academic Writing: Pedagogical and Ethical Dimensions
DOI:
https://doi.org/10.56294/ai2025420Keywords:
ChatGPT, Academic writing, Higher education, Writing pedagogy, Academic integrity, Artificial intelligence literacyAbstract
Introduction: Generative AI tools such as ChatGPT are reshaping academic writing in higher education, offering both opportunities for linguistic support and creativity, while raising concerns over authorship, plagiarism, and academic integrity.
Objective: This study examines the pedagogical benefits and ethical challenges of ChatGPT in academic writing, exploring how it can be integrated responsibly into higher education practices.
Methods: A qualitative thematic synthesis of 33 peer-reviewed studies, reports, and theoretical essays published between 2022 and 2025 was conducted. The analysis focused on two axes: pedagogical applications in writing instruction and ethical implications for academic integrity and authorship.
Development: Findings indicate that ChatGPT can serve as a valuable writing coach, enhancing brainstorming, drafting, and revision processes, particularly for multilingual and novice writers. However, issues of algorithmic dependence, fabricated content, plagiarism risks, and unequal access remain significant. The study concludes that effective use of ChatGPT requires AI literacy, transparent disclosure, and equitable institutional policies. A balanced integration of AI, supported by critical pedagogy, can empower students while safeguarding academic standards.
References
Aljuaid H. The impact of artificial intelligence tools on academic writing instruction in higher education: A systematic review. Arab World English Journal (AWEJ) Special Issue on ChatGPT. 2024;26-55. doi:10.24093/awej/ChatGPT.2. Mollaki V. Death of a reviewer or death of peer review integrity? The challenges of using AI tools in peer reviewing and the need to go beyond publishing policies. Research Ethics. 2024;20(2):239-250. doi:10.1177/17470161231224552. Bom H-SH. Exploring the opportunities and challenges of ChatGPT in academic writing: A roundtable discussion. Nuclear Medicine and Molecular Imaging. 2023; 57:165-7. doi:10.1007/s13139-023-00809-2. Gruda D. Three ways ChatGPT helps me in my academic writing. Nature, Career Column. 2024; 8:4-5. doi:10.1038/d41586-024-01042-3. Hirsh-Pasek K, Blinkoff E. ChatGPT in Education: Friend or Foe? Brookings Institution. 2023. Available from: https://coilink.org/20.500.12592/7rh6t8. Mrabet J, Studholme R. ChatGPT: A friend or a foe?. In: 2023 International Conference on Computational Intelligence and Knowledge Economy (ICCIKE). IEEE; 2023. p. 269-274. doi:10.1109/ICCIKE58312.2023.10131713. Thorp HH. ChatGPT is fun, but not an author. Science. 2023;379(6630):313. doi:10.1126/science.adg7879. Zambrano R, Gómez-Bayona C, Rosas J. Using ChatGPT in academic writing is not writing. Revista Colombiana de Educación. 2023;87:1–20. doi:10.17227/rce.num87-17834. Riepl A. Building a digitalised society: Opportunities and challenges of Austria's three-pillar system of digital education. Advances in Online Education: A Peer-Reviewed Journal. 2023;1(3):263-274. Cotton DRE, Cotton PA, Shipway JR. Chatting and cheating: Ensuring academic integrity in the era of ChatGPT. Innovations in Education and Teaching International. 2023;61(2):228–239. doi:10.1080/14703297.2023.2190148. Li J, Huang J, Wu W, Whipple PB. Evaluating the role of ChatGPT in enhancing EFL writing assessments in classroom settings: A preliminary investigation. Humanities and Social Sciences Communications. 2024;11(1):1-9. doi:10.1057/s41599-024-03755-2. Lo CK, Yu PLH, Xu S, Ng DTK, Jong MSY. Exploring the application of ChatGPT in ESL/EFL education and related research issues: A systematic review of empirical studies. Smart Learning Environments. 2024;11(1):50. doi:10.1186/s40561-024-00342-5. Seelro S, Khan MA. Exploring the Benefits and Challenges of ChatGPT in Enhancing ESL Learners Writing Skills. Academy of Education and Social Sciences Review. 2024;4(4):480–493. doi:10.48112/aessr.v4i4.885. Emdad FB, Ravuri B, Ayinde L, Rahman MI. ChatGPT, a Friend or Foe for Education? Analyzing the User's Perspectives on The Latest AI Chatbot Via Reddit. In: 2024 IEEE International Conference on Interdisciplinary Approaches in Technology and Management for Social Innovation (IATMSI). IEEE; 2024. p. 1-5. doi:10.1109/IATMSI60426.2024.10502836. Domenech J. ChatGPT in the classroom: friend or foe?. In: 9th International Conference on Higher Education Advances (HEAd'23). Editorial Universitat Politècnica de València; 2023. p. 339-347. Harunasari SY. Examining the effectiveness of AI-integrated approach in EFL writing: A case of ChatGPT. International Journal of Progressive Sciences and Technologies. 2023;39(2):357. doi:10.52155/ijpsat.v39.2.5516. Shakeel A. The Role of ChatGPT in Academic Writing: An Exploratory Study. Master's thesis, Oslo Metropolitan University; 2024. Kotsis K. Legality of employing artificial intelligence for writing academic papers in education. Journal of Contemporary Philosophical and Anthropological Studies. 2024;3(1):10-19. doi:10.59652/jcpas.v3i1.375. Kotsis KT. Artificial Intelligence Creates Plagiarism or Academic Research?. European Journal of Arts, Humanities and Social Sciences. 2024;1(6):169-179. doi:10.59324/ejahss.2024.1(6).18. Mahama I, Baidoo-Anu D, Eshun P, Ayimbire B, Eggley VE. ChatGPT in academic writing: A threat to human creativity and academic integrity? An exploratory study. Indonesian Journal of Innovation and Applied Sciences (IJIAS). 2023;3(3):228–239. doi:10.47540/ijias.v3i3.1005. Aylsworth T, Castro C. Should I use ChatGPT to write my papers?. Philosophy & Technology. 2024;37(4):117. doi:10.1007/s13347-024-00809-w. Hosseini M, Holcombe AO, Kovacs M, Zwart H, Katz DS, Holmes K. Group authorship, an excellent opportunity laced with ethical, legal and technical challenges. Accountability in Research. 2024;32(5):762–784. doi:10.1080/08989621.2024.2322557. Stokel-Walker C. ChatGPT listed as author on research papers: Many scientists disapprove. Nature. 2023;613:620–621. doi:10.1038/d41586-023-00107-z. Michaux C. Can chat gpt be considered an author? i met with chat gpt and asked some questions about philosophy of art and philosophy of mind. Available at SSRN 4439607. 2023. doi:10.2139/ssrn.4439607. Van Woudenberg R, Ranalli C, Bracker D. Authorship and ChatGPT: A conservative view. Philosophy & Technology. 2024;37(1):34. doi:10.1007/s13347-024-00715-1. Goto A, Katanoda K. Should we acknowledge ChatGPT as an author?. Journal of epidemiology. 2023;33(7):333-334. doi:10.2188/jea.JE20230078. Hosseini M, Horbach SPJM. Fighting reviewer fatigue or amplifying bias? Considerations and recommendations for use of ChatGPT and other large language models in scholarly peer review. Research Integrity and Peer Review. 2023;8(1):Article 6. doi:10.1186/s41073-023-00133-5. Bender EM, Gebru T, McMillan-Major A, Shmitchell S. On the dangers of stochastic parrots: Can language models be too big? Proceedings of the 2021 ACM Conference on Fairness, Accountability, and Transparency. 2021;610–623. doi:10.1145/3442188.3445922. Tsai CY, Lin YT, Brown IK. Impacts of ChatGPT-assisted writing for EFL English majors: Feasibility and challenges. Education and information technologies. 2024;29(17):22427-22445. doi:10.1007/s10639-024-12722-y. Xiao Q. ChatGPT as an artificial intelligence (AI) writing assistant for EFL learners: An exploratory study of its effects on English writing proficiency. In: Proceedings of the 2024 9th International conference on information and education innovations. 2024. p. 51-56. doi:10.1145/3664934.3664946. Li J, Huang J, Wu W, Whipple PB. Evaluating the role of ChatGPT in enhancing EFL writing assessments in classroom settings: A preliminary investigation. Humanit Soc Sci Commun. 2024;11(1):1-9. doi:10.1057/s41599-024-03755-2. Tate TP, Harnick-Shapiro B, Ritchie DR, Tseng W, Dennin M, Warschauer M. Incorporating generative AI into a writing-intensive undergraduate course without off-loading learning. Comput Appl Eng Educ. 2025. doi:10.1002/cae.23113. Gupta A, Shivers-McNair A. “Wayfinding” through the AI wilderness: Mapping rhetorics of ChatGPT prompt writing on X to promote critical AI literacies. Comput Compos. 2024;72:102867. doi:10.1016/j.compcom.2024.102867. Bedington A, Halcomb EF, McKee HA, Sargent T, Smith A. Writing with generative AI and human-machine teaming: Insights and recommendations from faculty and students. Computers and Composition. 2024;71:102833. doi:10.1016/j.compcom.2024.102833. Cummings RE, Monroe SM, Watkins M. Generative AI in first-year writing: An early analysis of affordances, limitations, and a framework for the future. Comput Compos. 2024;72:102870. doi:10.1016/j.compcom.2024.102870. Misra DP, Chandwar K. ChatGPT, artificial intelligence and scientific writing: What authors, peer reviewers and editors should know. Journal of the Royal College of Physicians of Edinburgh. 2023;53(2):90-93. doi:10.1177/14782715231181023. Velander J, Otero N, Milrad M. What is Critical (about) AI Literacy? Exploring Conceptualizations Present in AI Literacy Discourse. In: Buch A, Lindberg Y, Cerratto Pargman T, editors. Framing Futures in Postdigital Education. Postdigital Science and Education. Springer; 2024. p. 139–160. doi:10.1007/978-3-031-58622-4_8. FINANCING No financing.
Aljuaid H. The impact of artificial intelligence tools on academic writing instruction in higher education: A systematic review. Arab World English Journal (AWEJ) Special Issue on ChatGPT. 2024;26-55. doi:10.24093/awej/ChatGPT.2. Mollaki V. Death of a reviewer or death of peer review integrity? The challenges of using AI tools in peer reviewing and the need to go beyond publishing policies. Research Ethics. 2024;20(2):239-250. doi:10.1177/17470161231224552. Bom H-SH. Exploring the opportunities and challenges of ChatGPT in academic writing: A roundtable discussion. Nuclear Medicine and Molecular Imaging. 2023; 57:165-7. doi:10.1007/s13139-023-00809-2. Gruda D. Three ways ChatGPT helps me in my academic writing. Nature, Career Column. 2024; 8:4-5. doi:10.1038/d41586-024-01042-3. Hirsh-Pasek K, Blinkoff E. ChatGPT in Education: Friend or Foe? Brookings Institution. 2023. Available from: https://coilink.org/20.500.12592/7rh6t8. Mrabet J, Studholme R. ChatGPT: A friend or a foe?. In: 2023 International Conference on Computational Intelligence and Knowledge Economy (ICCIKE). IEEE; 2023. p. 269-274. doi:10.1109/ICCIKE58312.2023.10131713. Thorp HH. ChatGPT is fun, but not an author. Science. 2023;379(6630):313. doi:10.1126/science.adg7879. Zambrano R, Gómez-Bayona C, Rosas J. Using ChatGPT in academic writing is not writing. Revista Colombiana de Educación. 2023;87:1–20. doi:10.17227/rce.num87-17834. Riepl A. Building a digitalised society: Opportunities and challenges of Austria's three-pillar system of digital education. Advances in Online Education: A Peer-Reviewed Journal. 2023;1(3):263-274. Cotton DRE, Cotton PA, Shipway JR. Chatting and cheating: Ensuring academic integrity in the era of ChatGPT. Innovations in Education and Teaching International. 2023;61(2):228–239. doi:10.1080/14703297.2023.2190148. Li J, Huang J, Wu W, Whipple PB. Evaluating the role of ChatGPT in enhancing EFL writing assessments in classroom settings: A preliminary investigation. Humanities and Social Sciences Communications. 2024;11(1):1-9. doi:10.1057/s41599-024-03755-2. Lo CK, Yu PLH, Xu S, Ng DTK, Jong MSY. Exploring the application of ChatGPT in ESL/EFL education and related research issues: A systematic review of empirical studies. Smart Learning Environments. 2024;11(1):50. doi:10.1186/s40561-024-00342-5. Seelro S, Khan MA. Exploring the Benefits and Challenges of ChatGPT in Enhancing ESL Learners Writing Skills. Academy of Education and Social Sciences Review. 2024;4(4):480–493. doi:10.48112/aessr.v4i4.885. Emdad FB, Ravuri B, Ayinde L, Rahman MI. ChatGPT, a Friend or Foe for Education? Analyzing the User's Perspectives on The Latest AI Chatbot Via Reddit. In: 2024 IEEE International Conference on Interdisciplinary Approaches in Technology and Management for Social Innovation (IATMSI). IEEE; 2024. p. 1-5. doi:10.1109/IATMSI60426.2024.10502836. Domenech J. ChatGPT in the classroom: friend or foe?. In: 9th International Conference on Higher Education Advances (HEAd'23). Editorial Universitat Politècnica de València; 2023. p. 339-347. Harunasari SY. Examining the effectiveness of AI-integrated approach in EFL writing: A case of ChatGPT. International Journal of Progressive Sciences and Technologies. 2023;39(2):357. doi:10.52155/ijpsat.v39.2.5516. Shakeel A. The Role of ChatGPT in Academic Writing: An Exploratory Study. Master's thesis, Oslo Metropolitan University; 2024. Kotsis K. Legality of employing artificial intelligence for writing academic papers in education. Journal of Contemporary Philosophical and Anthropological Studies. 2024;3(1):10-19. doi:10.59652/jcpas.v3i1.375. Kotsis KT. Artificial Intelligence Creates Plagiarism or Academic Research?. European Journal of Arts, Humanities and Social Sciences. 2024;1(6):169-179. doi:10.59324/ejahss.2024.1(6).18. Mahama I, Baidoo-Anu D, Eshun P, Ayimbire B, Eggley VE. ChatGPT in academic writing: A threat to human creativity and academic integrity? An exploratory study. Indonesian Journal of Innovation and Applied Sciences (IJIAS). 2023;3(3):228–239. doi:10.47540/ijias.v3i3.1005. Aylsworth T, Castro C. Should I use ChatGPT to write my papers?. Philosophy & Technology. 2024;37(4):117. doi:10.1007/s13347-024-00809-w. Hosseini M, Holcombe AO, Kovacs M, Zwart H, Katz DS, Holmes K. Group authorship, an excellent opportunity laced with ethical, legal and technical challenges. Accountability in Research. 2024;32(5):762–784. doi:10.1080/08989621.2024.2322557. Stokel-Walker C. ChatGPT listed as author on research papers: Many scientists disapprove. Nature. 2023;613:620–621. doi:10.1038/d41586-023-00107-z. Michaux C. Can chat gpt be considered an author? i met with chat gpt and asked some questions about philosophy of art and philosophy of mind. Available at SSRN 4439607. 2023. doi:10.2139/ssrn.4439607. Van Woudenberg R, Ranalli C, Bracker D. Authorship and ChatGPT: A conservative view. Philosophy & Technology. 2024;37(1):34. doi:10.1007/s13347-024-00715-1. Goto A, Katanoda K. Should we acknowledge ChatGPT as an author?. Journal of epidemiology. 2023;33(7):333-334. doi:10.2188/jea.JE20230078. Hosseini M, Horbach SPJM. Fighting reviewer fatigue or amplifying bias? Considerations and recommendations for use of ChatGPT and other large language models in scholarly peer review. Research Integrity and Peer Review. 2023;8(1):Article 6. doi:10.1186/s41073-023-00133-5. Bender EM, Gebru T, McMillan-Major A, Shmitchell S. On the dangers of stochastic parrots: Can language models be too big? Proceedings of the 2021 ACM Conference on Fairness, Accountability, and Transparency. 2021;610–623. doi:10.1145/3442188.3445922. Tsai CY, Lin YT, Brown IK. Impacts of ChatGPT-assisted writing for EFL English majors: Feasibility and challenges. Education and information technologies. 2024;29(17):22427-22445. doi:10.1007/s10639-024-12722-y. Xiao Q. ChatGPT as an artificial intelligence (AI) writing assistant for EFL learners: An exploratory study of its effects on English writing proficiency. In: Proceedings of the 2024 9th International conference on information and education innovations. 2024. p. 51-56. doi:10.1145/3664934.3664946. Li J, Huang J, Wu W, Whipple PB. Evaluating the role of ChatGPT in enhancing EFL writing assessments in classroom settings: A preliminary investigation. Humanit Soc Sci Commun. 2024;11(1):1-9. doi:10.1057/s41599-024-03755-2. Tate TP, Harnick-Shapiro B, Ritchie DR, Tseng W, Dennin M, Warschauer M. Incorporating generative AI into a writing-intensive undergraduate course without off-loading learning. Comput Appl Eng Educ. 2025. doi:10.1002/cae.23113. Gupta A, Shivers-McNair A. “Wayfinding” through the AI wilderness: Mapping rhetorics of ChatGPT prompt writing on X to promote critical AI literacies. Comput Compos. 2024;72:102867. doi:10.1016/j.compcom.2024.102867. Bedington A, Halcomb EF, McKee HA, Sargent T, Smith A. Writing with generative AI and human-machine teaming: Insights and recommendations from faculty and students. Computers and Composition. 2024;71:102833. doi:10.1016/j.compcom.2024.102833. Cummings RE, Monroe SM, Watkins M. Generative AI in first-year writing: An early analysis of affordances, limitations, and a framework for the future. Comput Compos. 2024;72:102870. doi:10.1016/j.compcom.2024.102870. Misra DP, Chandwar K. ChatGPT, artificial intelligence and scientific writing: What authors, peer reviewers and editors should know. Journal of the Royal College of Physicians of Edinburgh. 2023;53(2):90-93. doi:10.1177/14782715231181023. Velander J, Otero N, Milrad M. What is Critical (about) AI Literacy? Exploring Conceptualizations Present in AI Literacy Discourse. In: Buch A, Lindberg Y, Cerratto Pargman T, editors. Framing Futures in Postdigital Education. Postdigital Science and Education. Springer; 2024. p. 139–160. doi:10.1007/978-3-031-58622-4_8.
Downloads
Published
Issue
Section
License
Copyright (c) 2025 Konstantinos T. Kotsis (Author)
This work is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 International License.
The article is distributed under the Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 License. Unless otherwise stated, associated published material is distributed under the same licence.
