Leveraging Chatgpt for Pre-University Academic Writing: Opportunities, Challenges, and Implications for Instructional Technology

The incorporation of AI and digital tools in education is on the rise, in line with the country’s objective of integrating technology into educational practices to build a more dynamic and effective learning environment. The Ministry of Education Malaysia has stressed the necessity of using technology to improve teaching and learning, with the goal of producing students who are not only proficient in their fields of study but also possess 21st-century skills (Ministry of Education Malaysia, 2013). This study explores the use of ChatGPT by Semester 1 and Semester 2 Foundations in TESL (Teaching English as a Second Language). Since these students are in the early stages of their education, the impact of such technologies on their writing skills and academic integrity is particularly noteworthy. The rapid growth of AI technologies in education needs a detailed study of their advantages and drawbacks to ensure that they are properly used to improve learning outcomes while maintaining academic standards.