In recent years, the rapid emergence and development of generative artificial intelligence (AI) tools—particularly ChatGPT—have brought about significant changes in teaching and learning at the university level. For students majoring in Economics, who are often required to engage with a large volume of academic materials, data, and abstract concepts, ChatGPT has gradually become a learning support tool with a noticeable impact on learning productivity. Based on practical observations from teaching activities and interactions with students, ChatGPT appears to enhance the learning productivity of Economics students through several key mechanisms.
Reducing Time Costs in Acquiring Foundational Knowledge
One common challenge faced by Economics students is the need to quickly grasp new concepts, technical terminology, and complex theoretical models. ChatGPT enables students to look up, clarify, and illustrate these concepts efficiently, using simplified language that can be adjusted to the learner’s level of understanding. As a result, students spend less time struggling with basic comprehension and can devote more time to higher-value learning activities such as analysis, comparison, application, and discussion.
Supporting Personalized Learning
Unlike traditional learning materials, which are largely one-directional and uniform, ChatGPT allows students to ask questions tailored to their individual needs and receive immediate feedback. Students can request alternative explanations, ask for more concrete examples, or explore topics beyond the scope of classroom lectures. This interactive mechanism encourages more active learning, particularly for students who learn at a slower pace or feel hesitant to ask questions in class. Learning thus becomes more flexible and better aligned with individual learning styles and speeds.
Improving Efficiency in Coursework and Academic Preparation
For Economics students, coursework often involves case analysis, explanation of economic phenomena, data processing, or essay writing. ChatGPT can assist students by:
- Suggesting appropriate structures or analytical outlines
- Checking the logical flow and clarity of arguments
- Explaining analytical steps in quantitative exercises
- Supporting language editing, especially for assignments written in English
When used appropriately, ChatGPT does not replace students’ thinking but functions as a “virtual teaching assistant,” helping students complete tasks more efficiently and reducing unnecessary technical errors.
Enhancing Self-Directed Learning Beyond the Classroom
ChatGPT extends learning beyond the traditional classroom setting. Students can study at any time and ask questions immediately when difficulties arise, rather than waiting for the next class session. This is particularly beneficial for theory-intensive courses such as Microeconomics, Macroeconomics, Finance and Banking, or Data Analysis. Through continuous support, ChatGPT contributes to the development of self-directed and proactive learning habits—an essential competency for Economics students in a rapidly evolving knowledge environment.
Conditions Under Which ChatGPT Truly Enhances Productivity
It is important to emphasize that ChatGPT only enhances learning productivity when used consciously and responsibly. If students rely on AI to copy assignments, avoid thinking, or fully replace the learning process, short-term productivity may increase, but long-term academic competence and critical thinking skills may deteriorate. Therefore, guidance from instructors and clear institutional policies are crucial to ensuring that ChatGPT is used as a learning support tool rather than a substitute for learning.
ChatGPT has contributed to increased learning productivity among Economics students by reducing the time required to access foundational knowledge, supporting personalized learning, improving efficiency in coursework, and fostering self-directed learning. However, these benefits are sustainable only when AI is used in its proper role—as a support for thinking, not a replacement for it. In the context of rapid transformation in higher education, the ability to understand and responsibly leverage ChatGPT will be an increasingly important competency for both Economics students and instructors.
Nguyen Minh Tri - Faculty of Economics and Management