Teaching with the Support of AI Chatbots to Develop Students’ Self-Directed Learning

This study examines the pivotal role of AI chatbots in the higher education environment, particularly their potential to foster students' Self-directed learning competencies. The core objective is to explore how these AI tools can enhance the essential components of Self-directed learning in the digital learning setting: learner autonomy, self-regulation, intrinsic motivation, and personal responsibility. The research methodology involved a comprehensive literature review, analyzing both international and Vietnamese studies on the application of AI chatbots in teaching and learning, as well as their relationship with Self-directed learning development. Furthermore, representative case studies from various universities were compared to identify emerging trends, educational impacts, and current research gaps. The findings reveal that AI chatbots significantly contribute to improving learning outcomes, strengthening intrinsic motivation, personalizing learning experiences, and promoting students' self-regulation competence. However, challenges remain regarding the reliability of chatbot-generated information, implementation costs, and user resistance. The conclusion highlights the immense potential of AI chatbots in developing students' Self-directed learning competencies but underscores the lack of empirical research within the Vietnamese educational context. Future directions should focus on designing integrated chatbot-assisted learning models, identifying influencing factors, and assessing the effectiveness of AI-supported SDL in authentic higher education settings.