ArticlePloS one2025
Higher education students' perceptions of ChatGPT: A global study of early reactions.
Article in PloS one, 2025. The graph could read no effect estimate from its abstract, so it casts no vote on the map. An erratum has been issued. Cited by 33 papers, 1 of them a synthesis that pooled it.
What it found
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The abstract states no effect estimate the extractor could read, or names no intervention and outcome on the map, so this paper lights no cell and moves no belief. It is still indexed, cited and linked below.
The trial behind it
Trials whose registry record cites this paper, or whose number appears in the abstract. A trial that started after this paper was published is citing it as background, not reporting it.
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Who cites it
33 citing papers in PubMed, 1 synthesis or guideline pooled it.
- Clinical Predictors and Prevalence of Enteral Nutrition Intolerance in Acute Pancreatitis: An Updated Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis.Nutrients · 2025Pooled it
- Trust in Artificial Intelligence-Generated Oral Health Information and Its Influence on Patient Decision-Making: A Cross-Sectional Study.Oral health & preventive dentistry · 2026Article
- Trust formation and fairness perception in GenAI: the divergent psychological pathways of computer science and business-related students.BMC psychology · 2026Article
- Observer Perceptions of GenAI Use and Interpersonal Trust: The Roles of Warmth, Competence, and AI Literacy.Behavioral sciences (Basel, Switzerland) · 2026Article
- GenAI-Supported Flipped Learning in Preservice Chemistry Teacher Education: Lesson-Design Performance, Learning Attitude, Self-Regulated Learning, and Critical Thinking Awareness.Behavioral sciences (Basel, Switzerland) · 2026Article
- Perceptions and Attitudes of Medical Students Toward the Integration of Large Language Models in Medical Education: Cross-Sectional Survey in China.JMIR medical education · 2026Article
- Generative AI adoption and ethical perceptions: a comparative study of medical and non-medical researchers in Chinese universities.BMC medical ethics · 2026Article
- Exploring the use of AI methods and chatbots in medical education among medical students in Jordan: a cross-sectional study.BMC medical education · 2026Article
- Generative Artificial Intelligence Applications Use Among US Youth.JAMA network open · 2026Article
- Associations between generative AI use frequency, technology acceptance, attitudes toward AI, and reported learning preference patterns among students in physical education classes.Frontiers in sports and active living · 2026Article
- Development and validation of the AI literacy, risk perception, and academic confidence questionnaire for Chinese pre-service teachers.PloS one · 2026Article
- AI Use for Medical Students: Impact on Clinical Skill Acquisition and Retention. A Systematic Review.Advances in medical education and practice · 2026Review
- Artificial Intelligence (AI) Implementation in Maternal and Child Health: A Scoping Review.Journal of multidisciplinary healthcare · 2026Review
- The association between generative AI use and university students' critical thinking: a moderated mediation model of GenAI feedback literacy and reflective thinking.Frontiers in psychology · 2026Article
- A two-step structural equation modeling and explainable machine learning framework for understanding university students' adoption of generative AI: balancing intrinsic motivations and perceived risks.Frontiers in psychology · 2026Article
- Validating the AIM-N: An AI-motivation and needs scale with multi-group invariance and MIMIC-DIF evidence in higher education.PloS one · 2026Article
- Could AI risk perception, AI learning anxiety and personal growth initiative influence university students' AI usage capability? An empirical investigation based on the control-value theory.Frontiers in psychology · 2026Article
- Digital feedback via free ChatGPT within the reciprocal teaching style: improving fundamental handball skills and students' attitudes among university beginners.Frontiers in sports and active living · 2026Article
- Correction: Higher education students' perceptions of ChatGPT: A global study of early reactions.PloS one · 2026Article
- Bridging the gap between AI and traditional teaching methods in medical education: opportunities, challenges, and solutions.Frontiers in medicine · 2026Review
Corrections and comments
- Erratum issued
Authors and funding
149 authors.
Funding
No grant is acknowledged in the PubMed record.
Abstract
The paper presents the most comprehensive and large-scale global study to date on how higher education students perceived the use of ChatGPT in early 2024. With a sample of 23,218 students from 109 countries and territories, the study reveals that students primarily used ChatGPT for brainstorming, summarizing texts, and finding research articles, with a few using it for professional and creative writing. They found it useful for simplifying complex information and summarizing content, but less reliable for providing information and supporting classroom learning, though some considered its information clearer than that from peers and teachers. Moreover, students agreed on the need for AI regulations at all levels due to concerns about ChatGPT promoting cheating, plagiarism, and social isolation. However, they believed ChatGPT could potentially enhance their access to knowledge and improve their learning experience, study efficiency, and chances of achieving good grades. While ChatGPT was perceived as effective in potentially improving AI literacy, digital communication, and content creation skills, it was less useful for interpersonal communication, decision-making, numeracy, native language proficiency, and the development of critical thinking skills. Students also felt that ChatGPT would boost demand for AI-related skills and facilitate remote work without significantly impacting unemployment. Emotionally, students mostly felt positive using ChatGPT, with curiosity and calmness being the most common emotions. Further examinations reveal variations in students' perceptions across different socio-demographic and geographic factors, with key factors influencing students' use of ChatGPT also being identified. Higher education institutions' managers and teachers may benefit from these findings while formulating the curricula and instructions/regulations for ChatGPT use, as well as when designing the teaching methods and assessment tools. Moreover, policymakers may also consider the findings when formulating strategies for secondary and higher education system development, especially in light of changing labor market needs and related digital skills development.
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Registered trials
Read under generation 80e0d062 · epoch 390. Bibliography from PubMed, PubMed Central and OpenAlex; grants from NIH RePORTER; trial links from ClinicalTrials.gov; estimates, votes and beliefs from the OpenQuestion graph.