Characteristics of ChatGPT use by university students in African countries

The emergence of ChatGPT has brought one of the latest surprises in artificial intelligence. This study examines how students use ChatGPT and whether usage patterns differ depending on the level of information and communication technology (ICT) development. A total of 2297 university students from nine African countries participated in an online survey, and the data were analyzed using descriptive statistics and structural equation modeling (SEM). The results show that although ICT development influences opinions about ChatGPT, actual usage levels do not differ significantly between more and less developed countries. Significant differences can be observed between genders and fields of study, and particularly in Zimbabwe, where students had extremely positive opinions. They primarily rate the importance of its use higher in their own field of study. It has a positive impact on analytical and problem-solving thinking, communication skills, and labor market changes. The study highlights the role of digital infrastructure and regulatory readiness in the spread of AI education and emphasizes the need for inclusive AI strategies in African higher education systems.