From feedback to dependency: the effects of generative AI assistance on revision quality and writer development among Indonesian EFL students

Authors

  • Tiurma Putri STKIP PGRI Metro Lampung Author

DOI:

https://doi.org/10.67490/ijled.v1i2.933

Keywords:

academic integrity, AI feedback, EFL writing, revision quality, writer development

Abstract

Background: Generative AI has rapidly entered EFL academic writing, yet its contribution remains contested because polished output may obscure limited revision reasoning, weakened authorship, and emerging dependence on automated feedback. Objective: This study examines how generative AI assistance shapes revision quality, feedback uptake, writer development, and dependency risk among Indonesian EFL students. Method: Using qualitative public-document corpus analysis, this study analysed 18 verified sources published between 2023 and 2026, comprising Indonesian empirical studies, international comparative research, and institutional or policy documents on AI-assisted writing. Results: Findings show that AI assistance is most frequently positioned as a revision and feedback mechanism, particularly for grammar, vocabulary, coherence, organization, and essay quality. Findings also indicate that AI feedback becomes pedagogically developmental only when students evaluate, modify, reject, or justify suggestions instead of accepting machine-generated revisions as finished text. Implication: Findings further reveal that teacher mediation, disclosure rules, assessment design, academic integrity guidance, and critical AI literacy are necessary to prevent AI-supported revision from becoming cognitive offloading. Novelty: This study offers a mediated model of AI-assisted EFL writing that links revision quality, writer agency, dependency risk, and pedagogical governance within Indonesian higher education.

Downloads

Download data is not yet available.

References

[1] Kaharuddin, D. Ahmad, M. Latif, I. Arafah, and R. Suryadi, “Defining the role of artificial intelligence in improving English writing skills among Indonesian students,” Journal of Language Teaching and Research, 2024, doi: 10.17507/jltr.1502.25.

[2] C. G. Puteri, B. Cahyono, U. Widiati, and N. Suryati, “Using ChatGPT as a writing assistant: A study on essay quality development among Indonesian EFL university students,” Indonesian Journal of Applied Linguistics, 2025, doi: 10.17509/3ebmy158.

[3] J. Escalante, A. Pack, and A. Barrett, “AI-generated feedback on writing: Insights into efficacy and ENL student preference,” International Journal of Educational Technology in Higher Education, vol. 20, pp. 1–20, 2023, doi: 10.1186/s41239-023-00425-2.

[4] A. H. Alsofyani and A. M. Barzanji, “The effects of ChatGPT-generated feedback on Saudi EFL learners’ writing skills and perception at the tertiary level: A mixed-methods study,” Journal of Educational Computing Research, vol. 63, pp. 431–463, 2024, doi: 10.1177/07356331241307297.

[5] Q. Chen, “Students’ perceptions of AI-powered feedback in English writing: Benefits and challenges in higher education,” International Journal of Changes in Education, 2025, doi: 10.47852/bonviewijce52025580.

[6] X. Cheng and L. Zhang, “Sustaining university English as a foreign language learners’ writing performance through provision of comprehensive written corrective feedback,” Sustainability, 2021, doi: 10.3390/su13158192.

[7] N. Fan, “Exploring the effects of automated written corrective feedback on EFL students’ writing quality: A mixed-methods study,” SAGE Open, vol. 13, 2023, doi: 10.1177/21582440231181296.

[8] T. T. T. Tran, “Enhancing EFL writing revision practices: The impact of AI- and teacher-generated feedback and their sequences,” Education Sciences, 2025, doi: 10.3390/educsci15020232.

[9] K. Guo, E. D. Zhang, D. Li, and S. Yu, “Using AI-supported peer review to enhance feedback literacy: An investigation of students’ revision of feedback on peers’ essays,” British Journal of Educational Technology, vol. 56, pp. 1612–1639, 2024, doi: 10.1111/bjet.13540.

[10] Z. Wang and F. Han, “The effects of teacher feedback and automated feedback on cognitive and psychological aspects of foreign language writing: A mixed-methods research,” Frontiers in Psychology, vol. 13, 2022, doi: 10.3389/fpsyg.2022.909802.

[11] K. Yang, M. Raković, Z. Liang, L. Yan, Z. Zeng, Y. Fan, D. Gašević, and G. Chen, “Modifying AI, enhancing essays: How active engagement with generative AI boosts writing quality,” Proceedings of the 15th International Learning Analytics and Knowledge Conference, 2024, doi: 10.1145/3706468.3706544.

[12] U. Widiati, D. Rusdin, I. Indrawati, and N. Govender, “The impact of AI writing tools on the content and organization of students’ writing: EFL teachers’ perspective,” Cogent Education, vol. 10, 2023, doi: 10.1080/2331186x.2023.2236469.

[13] W. Waziana, W. Andewi, T. Hastomo, and M. Hasbi, “Students’ perceptions about the impact of AI chatbots on their vocabulary and grammar in EFL writing,” Register Journal, 2024, doi: 10.18326/register.v17i2.352-382.

[14] C. Zhai, S. Wibowo, and L. D. Li, “The effects of over-reliance on AI dialogue systems on students’ cognitive abilities: A systematic review,” Smart Learning Environments, vol. 11, 2024, doi: 10.1186/s40561-024-00316-7.

[15] C. Shen, P. Shi, J. Guo, S. Xu, and J. Tian, “From process to product: Writing engagement and performance of EFL learners under computer-generated feedback instruction,” Frontiers in Psychology, vol. 14, 2023, doi: 10.3389/fpsyg.2023.1258286.

[16] T. Fitria, “Grammarly as AI-powered English writing assistant: Students’ alternative for writing English,” The Journal of English Language and Literature, vol. 5, pp. 65–78, 2021, doi: 10.31002/metathesis.v5i1.3519.

[17] X. Zhao, “Leveraging artificial intelligence (AI) technology for English writing: Introducing Wordtune as a digital writing assistant for EFL writers,” RELC Journal, vol. 54, pp. 890–894, 2022, doi: 10.1177/00336882221094089.

[18] A. Evmenova, K. Regan, R. L. Mergen, and R. Hrisseh, “Improving writing feedback for struggling writers: Generative AI to the rescue?,” TechTrends, vol. 68, pp. 790–802, 2024, doi: 10.1007/s11528-024-00965-y.

[19] Y.-C. Tseng and Y.-H. Lin, “Enhancing English as a foreign language (EFL) learners’ writing with ChatGPT: A university-level course design,” Electronic Journal of e-Learning, 2024, doi: 10.34190/ejel.21.5.3329.

[20] C. Wang, “Exploring students’ generative AI-assisted writing processes: Perceptions and experiences from native and nonnative English speakers,” Technology, Knowledge and Learning, vol. 30, pp. 1825–1846, 2024, doi: 10.1007/s10758-024-09744-3.

[21] M. Zahra and R. Fithriani, “Teachers’ and students’ views on AI writing tools’ adverse effects in EFL writings,” Jurnal Onoma: Pendidikan, Bahasa, dan Sastra, 2025, doi: 10.30605/onoma.v11i3.6554.

[22] M. Mekheimer, “Generative AI-assisted feedback and EFL writing: A study on proficiency, revision frequency and writing quality,” Discover Education, vol. 4, 2025, doi: 10.1007/s44217-025-00602-7.

[23] C. Song and Y. Song, “Enhancing academic writing skills and motivation: Assessing the efficacy of ChatGPT in AI-assisted language learning for EFL students,” Frontiers in Psychology, vol. 14, 2023, doi: 10.3389/fpsyg.2023.1260843.

[24] J. Huang and A. Mizumoto, “Examining the effect of generative AI on students’ motivation and writing self-efficacy,” Digital Applied Linguistics, 2024, doi: 10.29140/dal.v1.102324.

[25] A. Almusharraf, D. Bailey, N. Almusharraf, and T. Alotaibi, “Students’ perceptions of generative AI in EFL writing: Strategies, self-efficacy, satisfaction and behavioural intention,” Australasian Journal of Educational Technology, 2025, doi: 10.14742/ajet.10045.

[26] S. Utami, Andayani, R. Winarni, and Sumarwati., “Utilization of artificial intelligence technology in an academic writing class: How do Indonesian students perceive?,” Contemporary Educational Technology, 2023, doi: 10.30935/cedtech/13419.

[27] E. Soge and C. Mbato, “The perceived impacts of generative AI on Indonesian EFL master’s students’ motivation in academic writing,” Prima Magistra: Jurnal Ilmiah Kependidikan, 2025, doi: 10.37478/jpm.v6i4.6120.

[28] L. Yang, Y. Liu, and Z. Xu, “Examining the effects of self-regulated learning-based teacher feedback on English-as-a-foreign-language learners’ self-regulated writing strategies and writing performance,” Frontiers in Psychology, vol. 13, 2022, doi: 10.3389/fpsyg.2022.1027266.

[29] D. Trinovita, E. Nurchurifiani, T. Hastomo, W. Andewi, and M. Hasbi, “Exploring the influence of generative AI on self-regulated learning: A mixed-methods study in the EFL context,” Jurnal Iqra’: Kajian Ilmu Pendidikan, 2025, doi: 10.25217/ji.v10i2.6389.

[30] M. Eleftheriou, M. Ahmer, and D. R. Fredrick, “Balancing ethics and support: Peer tutors’ experiences with AI tools in student writing,” Contemporary Educational Technology, 2025, doi: 10.30935/cedtech/16554.

[31] H. Arif and J. Naeem, “The impact of generative AI on learner autonomy and critical thinking in English as a foreign language (EFL) writing classrooms,” Journal of Applied Linguistics and TESOL, 2025, doi: 10.63878/jalt1249.

[32] H. Hong, P. Vate-U-Lan, and C. Viriyavejakul, “Generative AI-mediated scaffolds for enhanced critical thinking in EFL writing,” Edelweiss Applied Science and Technology, 2025, doi: 10.55214/25768484.v9i6.7751.

[33] C. Wang and Z. Wang, “Investigating L2 writers’ critical AI literacy in AI-assisted writing: An APSE model,” Journal of Second Language Writing, 2025, doi: 10.1016/j.jslw.2025.101187.

[34] H. Budiyono, “Exploring long-term impact of AI writing tools on independent writing skills: A case study of Indonesian language education students,” International Journal of Information and Education Technology, 2025, doi: 10.18178/ijiet.2025.15.5.2306.

[35] M. Aminah and A. H. Aly, “University EFL students’ perceptions of generative AI in academic writing: A qualitative case study in Indonesia,” AL-ISHLAH: Jurnal Pendidikan, 2026, doi: 10.35445/alishlah.v18i1.9461.

[36] H. Crompton, A. Edmett, N. Ichaporia, and D. Burke, “AI and English language teaching: Affordances and challenges,” British Journal of Educational Technology, vol. 55, pp. 2503–2529, 2024, doi: 10.1111/bjet.13460.

[37] J. Kim, S. Yu, R. Detrick, and N. Li, “Exploring students’ perspectives on generative AI-assisted academic writing,” Education and Information Technologies, vol. 30, pp. 1265–1300, 2024, doi: 10.1007/s10639-024-12878-7.

Downloads

Published

30-06-2026

How to Cite

Tiurma Putri. (2026). From feedback to dependency: the effects of generative AI assistance on revision quality and writer development among Indonesian EFL students. Indonesian Journal of Linguistics and Educational Studies, 1(2), 110-125. https://doi.org/10.67490/ijled.v1i2.933

Similar Articles

You may also start an advanced similarity search for this article.