AI as a Collaborative Partner: Studying Adolescent Problem Solving with Intelligent Systems

This study investigates the role of artificial intelligence (AI) as a collaborative partner in adolescent problem-solving processes. Through a mixed-methods approach involving 150 adolescents aged 13-17, we examined how intelligent systems influence cognitive strategies, decision-making patterns, and collaborative learning outcomes. Results indicate that AI collaboration significantly enhances problem-solving efficiency (p < 0.01) while promoting metacognitive awareness. Our findings reveal three distinct interaction patterns: dependency-oriented, partnership-oriented, and autonomy-oriented approaches. This research contributes to understanding human-AI collaboration in educational contexts and provides implications for designing age-appropriate intelligent tutoring systems.