Artificial Intelligence in Nursing Education: A Catalyst for Innovation or a Threat to Critical Thinking and Academic Integrity?

Imanifar, Nasrin; Kazemi Najm, Milad

doi:10.22087/ijac.2026.538892.1068

Artificial Intelligence in Nursing Education: A Catalyst for Innovation or a Threat to Critical Thinking and Academic Integrity?

Document Type : Letter to the Editor

Authors

Nasrin Imanifar ¹

Milad Kazemi Najm ²

¹ Department of Nursing, Khor.C., Islamic Azad University, Khorramabad, Iran

² PhD student in nursing, Student Research Committee, School of Nursing and Midwifery Hamadan University of Medical Sciences, Hamadan, Iran.

10.22087/ijac.2026.538892.1068

Abstract

This letter to the editor examines the dual impact of artificial intelligence (AI) in nursing education. While AI tools, such as ChatGPT and virtual simulations, offer transformative opportunities to enhance clinical training and personalize learning, they also raise urgent ethical and pedagogical concerns. A 2023 survey of 1,200 U.S. nursing students revealed a lack of awareness of AI mechanisms, complicating plagiarism detection efforts. Meanwhile, AI-driven simulations, such as Body Interact, demonstrate efficacy in improving clinical decision-making among students with access to these resources. However, low- and middle-income countries (LMICs) face systemic barriers to AI adoption, exacerbating global inequities. Through critical analysis of recent literature and case studies, this letter identifies three key strategies for responsible integration: embedding AI literacy into curricula, establishing international ethical guidelines, and leveraging problem-based learning (PBL) to prioritize human-centered care. Without safeguards, AI risks prioritizing efficiency over empathy and widening disparities in healthcare education. Interdisciplinary collaboration among educators, policymakers, and technologists is critical to ensure that AI enhances rather than replaces the irreplaceable human elements of nursing practice.

Keywords

Artificial intelligence

Nursing education

Academic integrity

Critical thinking

Educational technology

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