Is ChatGPT the New Google? Practices and Attitudes Toward AI Applications Among University Students and Faculty

Artificial Intelligence (AI) is playing an increasingly significant role in higher education, creating new opportunities for learning and teaching. This study examines the use of ChatGPT and other AI tools among students and faculty members at Sapientia EMTE. The research employed an online questionnaire survey (273 students) and semi-structured interviews (11 faculty members). Our findings indicate that ChatGPT is the most popular AI tool among students, used primarily for learning support, information retrieval, and creative ideation. It is followed by DeepL and Grammarly, while ResearchGPT, Google Gemini, and Microsoft Copilot are less commonly utilized. Students from social science and economy fields demonstrate the highest proficiency in AI use, whereas students in the humanities and engineering sciences tend to use these tools less frequently. Faculty opinions on AI tools are divided: some view them as innovative opportunities, while others express ethical and regulatory concerns, particularly regarding plagiarism and content originality. The study highlights the need for clear guidelines and faculty training to ensure responsible AI integration. The long-term impact of AI in education will largely depend on training strategies, infrastructure development, and ethical regulations. Keywords: artificial intelligence, ChatGPT, university students, university teachers