Examining the Use of ChatGPT among University Students

This study examines the use of ChatGPT among university students, exploring its impacts on academic work and the broader implications for higher education. As artificial intelligence (AI) continues to transform traditional learning methods, understanding how students utilize ChatGPT becomes crucial for educators and institutions. The research employs a qualitative approach, using in-depth interviews with university students who frequently use ChatGPT for academic purposes. The study is guided by five research questions, investigating how students use ChatGPT, its potential challenges and perceived benefits, institutional support needed, and the influence of the Unified Theory of Acceptance and Use of Technology on ChatGPT adoption. The findings revealed several key themes: Academic research and writing, idea generation, guidance and support informed the use of ChatGPT. Impact on creativity and cognitive skills, laziness, stigma, impact on traditional forms of testing, limited and inaccurate information, and prompt challenges informed the challenges associated with ChatGPT use. Efficiency and time saving, personalized learning and feedback, and enhanced productivity informed the perceived benefits of ChatGPT. Awareness and sensitization, training, integration into academic curricula answered the institutional support needed. Finally, the five constructs of UTAUT framework including, performance expectancy, effort expectancy, social influence, facilitating conditions and hedonic motivation highlighted the influence of the theory on ChatGPT adoption. The research concludes that while ChatGPT offers significant benefits for academic work, it also presents challenges that require careful consideration and management by both students and educational institutions. This study also provides valuable recommendations for supporting students in effectively utilizing ChatGPT while maintaining academic integrity and fostering critical thinking skills essential for the future workforce.