INTEGRATING ARTIFICIAL INTELLIGENCE INTO GEOGRAPHY LEARNING TO ENHANCE SPATIAL THINKING SKILLS AND DIGITAL LITERACY SMA N 1 AJIBARANG

The development of digital technology has driven changes in various aspects of education, including the geography learning process. One technology that is increasingly being utilized is Artificial Intelligence (AI), which offers opportunities to create more innovative, interactive, and student-oriented learning. This study aims to examine the application of AI in geography learning, identify its contribution to improving students' spatial thinking skills and digital literacy, and analyze various obstacles that arise during the implementation process. The study used a qualitative approach with a case study design and was conducted at SMA Negeri 1 Ajibarang in the even semester of the 2025/2026 academic year. The research informants consisted of a geography teacher and twelve grade XI students who were selected purposively. Data were obtained through observation, in-depth interviews, and documentation studies, then analyzed using the stages of data reduction, data presentation, and drawing conclusions. The results show that AI has been utilized in various learning activities, from lesson planning, searching for learning resources, analyzing geographic data, to implementing learning projects. The use of AI helps students understand spatial phenomena through the use of digital maps, geospatial data, and interactive visualizations that support the development of spatial thinking skills. Furthermore, the use of AI contributes to improving digital literacy, independent learning, and critical thinking skills in students. However, AI implementation still faces various challenges, including differences in digital literacy levels, limited facilities and infrastructure, teacher competency, and ethical issues in technology use. Research findings indicate that AI plays a role not only as a learning support medium but also as a driver for the transformation of geography learning, supporting the development of social science education relevant to the demands of the digital era.