Impact of the use of artificial intelligence on the autonomy of students at National Institute of Youth, Physical Education and Sport (INJEPS) in Benin

As artificial intelligence becomes increasingly integrated into educational practices, questions arise regarding its true impact on learning processes. This research seeks to analyze the influence of excessive use of artificial intelligence on the autonomy of INJEPS students in their academic learning. The specific objectives are to assess the extent to which frequent reliance on artificial intelligence contributes to student disengagement in the learning process, and to identify its effects on the development of cognitive skills among INJEPS students. To achieve this, a mixed-method study was conducted involving students, teachers, and academic administrators. The sampling techniques employed were accidental sampling and purposive snowball sampling. The collected data were analyzed using a framework grounded in the theories of Deci & Ryan (1985) and Sweller (1988). The findings reveal a significant decline in students’ perceived autonomy following the regular integration of AI into their academic work, as well as a gradual erosion of cognitive abilities.