EFL STUDENTS’ PERSPECTIVES ON CHATGPT AT SEEU IN NORTH MACEDONIA: POTENTIAL BENEFITS AND CHALLENGES

This study examines students’ views and experiences regarding the use of ChatGPT at South East European University (SEEU) in North Macedonia, focusing on its benefits and challenges. A review of existing literature highlights the increasing interest in Artificial Intelligence (AI) tools like ChatGPT in educational settings, emphasizing their potential to support language learning, offer personalized feedback, and boost student engagement. However, concerns are also raised about the possible drawbacks of AI in education, including the risk of over-reliance, which might hinder critical thinking and problem-solving skills. Ethical issues, such as academic integrity and the reliability of AI-generated responses, are also frequently mentioned, particularly in relation to writing tasks and assessments. There is additional concern that dependence on AI may limit students’ ability to learn independently.The study uses a questionnaire to explore the challenges and benefits of integrating ChatGPT into EFL education. The findings suggest that while students perceive ChatGPT as a useful resource for learning and support its use for specific academic purposes, acceptance varies depending on the task and individual attitudes toward AI in education. The data recommend that ChatGPT should serve as a supplementary tool rather than a replacement for independent thought and creativity, and stress the importance of verifying the accuracy of AI-generated content.