Pragmatic users and skeptical nonusers: A qualitative typology of ChatGPT adoption in physics education

Synthesis: Becker, Bauer, Schrader, Bitzenbauer & Veith (2026) analyze 1,189 survey responses from physics students using qualitative content analysis and latent class analysis, identifying two distinct user profiles: 70% are "Pragmatic Users" who use ChatGPT for scaffolding despite awareness of inaccuracies, and 30% are "Skeptical Non-Users" who avoid it over overreliance concerns. Both groups make calculated risk-utility trade-offs — challenging one-size-fits-all AI policies and calling for differentiated pedagogy.

Summary

This study develops a data-driven typology of physics students' ChatGPT use through qualitative content analysis of 1,189 survey responses and latent class analysis (LCA). Two profiles emerge: Pragmatic Users (70%) who are aware of AI's inaccuracies but use it for conceptual clarification and problem-solving scaffolds, and Skeptical Non-Users (30%) who avoid the tool over concerns about overreliance and its potential to hinder independent problem-solving. Both groups demonstrate calculated risk-utility trade-offs rather than uncritical adoption or blanket rejection — challenging institutional one-size-fits-all AI policies.