Uso de la inteligencia artificial como recurso para potenciar las competencias investigativas y el pensamiento crítico en la educación superior

The topic of Artificial Intelligence is usually associated with worrying problems in computer science. However, recent studies have shown that their use has had an impact on the university sector in general, as students and teachers, formally and informally, apply these technological tools to enhance educational and research experiences. From this point of view, the research aims to analyze how AI can improve the development of research skills and critical thinking in higher education, considering its implementation as essential for progress towards the digitalization of the university. To achieve this goal, the article focuses on the following aspects: 1. Conceptual details about investigative competencies and critical thinking in higher education. 2. The permitted uses of AI within the university environment. 3. The improvements that AI can introduce in interdisciplinary research processes. The method used is documentary hermeneutics. It is concluded that the presence of AI within higher education makes its academic and administrative processes more efficient, while significantly improving the research skills of students, providing them with a greater level of autonomy and skill in the use of technological tools.