Identifying and profiling authoritative cardiology-related key opinion leaders on Xiaohongshu: a social media-based study.

Creativity refers to the capacity to generate ideas that are both novel and effective (). It has been widely recognized as a core twenty-first-century skill, actively promoted in education systems globally (), and valued across a broad range of disciplines such as business, science, and the arts (). Reflecting this growing emphasis, universities have increasingly embedded creativity development into their curricula through dedicated courses and training programs. Against this backdrop, our study conceptualizes creative students as those who can effectively recognize problems, integrate diverse information, and generate original and valuable ideas and solutions. As higher education places increasing importance on student creativity, the rapid advancement and widespread adoption of artificial intelligence (AI) have become one of the most prominent developments shaping contemporary universities. Artificial intelligence can be broadly defined as the capacity of systems to interpret external data, learn from such data, and apply acquired knowledge to achieve specific goals and tasks (). AI use has become an integral part of students’ everyday academic practices. A survey conducted in the United States reported that 89% of college students used ChatGPT to complete assignments, while 53% relied on it for essay writing (). AI technologies are transforming educational practices by introducing new ways of information processing, problem solving, and decision making (). Given the widespread diffusion of AI technologies and the central role of creativity in higher education, scholars have increasingly examined the relationship between AI use and student creativity, yet the findings have been mixed. On the one hand, a stream of research underscores the capacity of AI tools to support creative processes (; ). By drawing on extensive knowledge bases to introduce diverse perspectives, AI tools can prompt students to question existing assumptions, stimulate curiosity, encourage thinking outside the box, and ultimately inspire more creative thinking (). On the other hand, scholars have cautioned that inappropriate use of AI may undermine student creativity (). The availability of instant, AI-generated answers may foster technological dependence and reduce students’ opportunities for independent thinking and active exploration (). Furthermore, overreliance on AI may weaken students’ capacity for original thought and ultimately constrain creativity (). These conflicting voices regarding the effects of AI are further supported by studies that examine students’ own perceptions. For instance, in a survey of 221 university students in Croatia, 31% agreed that AI use enhances creativity, 32% disagreed, and 36% remained neutral ().