Students' perceptions of ChatGPT as a catalyst for language learning in Moroccan higher education

The emergence of ChatGPT as a unique AI tool revolutionized the educational landscape and gave it a notorious position in Moroccan education. However, scientific studies on the role of ChatGPT in higher education and its perceptions are limited, and more research is needed in the Moroccan context. Hence, the primary purpose of this quantitative study is to investigate the students’ perceptions of ChatGPT employment in their learning process and the benefits it offers them on their academic journey. Using a quantitative research design, data were collected through a questionnaire as a research instrument. The study sample, which consisted of 40 English master students from Moulay Ismail University in Meknes, Morocco, was non-randomly selected using a convenient sampling method. The data were collected through Google Forms and analyzed statistically using SPSS version 27. The results show that students hold favorable perceptions regarding ChatGPT, viewing it as an engaging and valuable learning tool. They find it useful for improving writing and for understanding complex academic topics. Therefore, it is highly recommended that educators and institutions should encourage the implementation of ChatGPT in the educational field and devise new ways to handle the increasing demands on AI applications.