How does AI effect group out of class collaboration for US undergraduate students. 14 views

Since the release of ChatGPT in November 2022, artificial intelligence tools started with simple usage to everyday use in American higher education. Within three years of that initial launch, nearly half of US undergraduates reported regularly using AI applications not just for coursework, but for everyday communication and academic coordination (Wang et al., 2024). This shift has not simply introduced a new study tool, it has begun reshaping how students approach collaboration outside the classroom. This includes the late-night group study sessions, the peer-to-peer text threads about homework questions, and the informal help-seeking that has always been central to undergraduate learning. To start with the definition, out-of-class collaboration refers specifically to the student-initiated peer-driven interactions that occur beyond the classroom. This includes study groups, group chats, informal discussions between classmates, and informal asking of questions between students. These interactions are distinct from classroom, and they are where much of the social structure of undergraduate life is made. This collaboration is critical as it not only contains knowledge but also increases communication, resilience, and the ability to work through problems with other people. The concern motivating this research is what scholars have called AI's 'double-edged sword'. This “double-edged sword” refers to the same tools that provide personalized academic support and on-demand availability also appear to draw students away from precisely these peer-to-peer interactions (Sun et al., 2025). The goal of this research then becomes “How does the integration of AI tools affect out-of-class group collaboration among US undergraduate students?” This question matters not only for understanding how a powerful technology is reshaping student experience, but to how universities, educators, and AI developers might design policies and environments that preserve essential collaboration skills.

BS (Bachelor of Science)

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2026-05-12