AI-Supported Data Analysis Boosts Student Motivation and Reduces Stress in Physics Education

The integration of artificial intelligence (AI) in physics education enables novel approaches to data analysis and conceptual learning. A comparative analysis of AI-supported and traditional Excel-based methods reveals distinct strengths and limitations in fostering understanding of pendulum experiments. This study explores the integration of AI-assisted tools, such as a custom chatbot based on ChatGPT, and traditional Excel-based methods in physics education, revealing that while both approaches produce comparable quantitative learning gains, AI tools provide significant qualitative advantages. These include enhanced emotional engagement and higher motivation, highlighting the potential of AI to create a more positive and supportive learning environment. Adaptive AI technologies offer significant promise in supporting structured, data-intensive tasks, emphasizing the necessity for thoughtfully balanced integration into educational practices.