The effect of implementing artificial intelligence in educational management on creativity and problem solving skills of secondary school students

This research was conducted with the aim of investigating the effect of artificial intelligence (AI) implementation in educational management on creativity and problem solving skills of high school students. Considering the rapid developments in the field of artificial intelligence and its increasing applications in the field of education, understanding how this technology affects different aspects of learning and developing students' skills seems essential. This study was conducted using a mixed method (quantitative-qualitative) and with the participation of 500 students and 50 school principals from 10 secondary schools in Tehran that have implemented educational management systems based on artificial intelligence. Quantitative data were collected through standard Torrance creativity and Hepner and Patterson problem-solving skills questionnaires, while qualitative data were obtained through semi-structured interviews with principals and focus groups with students. The results of statistical analysis showed that the use of artificial intelligence in educational management is significantly correlated with the increase in students' creativity scores (r = 0.42, p < 0.001) and problem solving skills (r = 0.38, p < 0.001). Content analysis of qualitative data also showed that the implementation of artificial intelligence in educational management has led to the creation of personalized learning environments, increased access to diverse educational resources, and improved assessment and feedback processes. These factors, in turn, have provided the basis for fostering creativity and strengthening students' problem-solving skills. However, challenges such as the need for continuous staff training, data privacy issues, and the need to maintain human interaction in the training process were also identified. This research offers suggestions for optimizing the use of artificial intelligence in educational management with the aim of improving high-level cognitive skills in students.