Generative AI: A Case Study of ChatGPT’s Impact on University Students’ Learning Practices

Abstract Recently, technology has been widely integrated across the educational landscape. Artificial Intelligence (AI) tools have become essential components of students' learning practices, requiring an examination of the impact of each tool. The aim of this study is to investigate the impact of ChatGPT tool on university students’ learning practices. A quantitative online survey was adopted using cross-sectional design to collect the data from university students at King Saud university and Imam Abdulrahman Bin Faisal university in Saudi Arabia. A total of 402 responses were finalised for data analysis at the end of five weeks after starting the survey. Out of 402 students, 293 have been using ChatGPT. ChatGPT services were mainly used for writing research papers (81.8%), essays (73.8%), and correcting grammar (43.3%). Positive effects included motivating, engaging, and improving skills and competencies of students and negative effects included academic dishonesty, limiting critical thinking and problem-solving skills among students. Significant differences were identified among male and female students on perceptions about motivating and engaging ability of ChatGPT (p < .05).Students should be trained to use ChatGPT ethically and universities should adopt alternative assessment practices.