Leveraging AI in academia: university students’ adoption of ChatGPT for writing coursework (take home) assignments through the lens of UTAUT2

The rapid growth of artificial intelligence (AI) is transforming education, with tools like ChatGPT offering innovative support for university students in tasks such as essay writing and problem-solving. This study examines factors influencing ChatGPT adoption among students in Uganda, using the Uni...

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Main Authors: Afulah Namatovu, Mahadih Kyambade
Format: Article
Language:English
Published: Taylor & Francis Group 2025-12-01
Series:Cogent Education
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Online Access:https://www.tandfonline.com/doi/10.1080/2331186X.2025.2485522
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author Afulah Namatovu
Mahadih Kyambade
author_facet Afulah Namatovu
Mahadih Kyambade
author_sort Afulah Namatovu
collection DOAJ
description The rapid growth of artificial intelligence (AI) is transforming education, with tools like ChatGPT offering innovative support for university students in tasks such as essay writing and problem-solving. This study examines factors influencing ChatGPT adoption among students in Uganda, using the Unified Theory of Acceptance and Use of Technology 2 (UTAUT2) framework. The UTAUT2 model explores performance expectancy, effort expectancy, social influence, facilitating conditions, hedonic motivation, price value, and habit as key drivers of technology use. A mixed-method approach was employed, involving a survey of 473 third-year Makerere University Business School students and qualitative interviews. Structural equation modeling (SEM) analyzed relationships between UTAUT2 constructs and students’ intentions to use ChatGPT. The findings show that performance expectancy, habit, and social influence significantly impact adoption, while effort expectancy and price value have less influence. This research highlights the potential of AI to enhance academic performance in resource-constrained settings. The insights are valuable for educators and policymakers aiming to integrate AI tools effectively in developing countries, addressing barriers like limited digital literacy and technological access. The study provides a foundation for strategies that support the adoption of AI in higher education, enhancing learning outcomes in Uganda’s unique socio-economic context.
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spelling doaj-art-68775b9cc3be4db19b040dc6fdae72042025-08-20T03:04:26ZengTaylor & Francis GroupCogent Education2331-186X2025-12-0112110.1080/2331186X.2025.2485522Leveraging AI in academia: university students’ adoption of ChatGPT for writing coursework (take home) assignments through the lens of UTAUT2Afulah Namatovu0Mahadih Kyambade1Department of Applied Computing & IT, Makerere University Business School, Kampala, UgandaDepartment of Leadership & Governance, Makerere University Business School, Kampala, UgandaThe rapid growth of artificial intelligence (AI) is transforming education, with tools like ChatGPT offering innovative support for university students in tasks such as essay writing and problem-solving. This study examines factors influencing ChatGPT adoption among students in Uganda, using the Unified Theory of Acceptance and Use of Technology 2 (UTAUT2) framework. The UTAUT2 model explores performance expectancy, effort expectancy, social influence, facilitating conditions, hedonic motivation, price value, and habit as key drivers of technology use. A mixed-method approach was employed, involving a survey of 473 third-year Makerere University Business School students and qualitative interviews. Structural equation modeling (SEM) analyzed relationships between UTAUT2 constructs and students’ intentions to use ChatGPT. The findings show that performance expectancy, habit, and social influence significantly impact adoption, while effort expectancy and price value have less influence. This research highlights the potential of AI to enhance academic performance in resource-constrained settings. The insights are valuable for educators and policymakers aiming to integrate AI tools effectively in developing countries, addressing barriers like limited digital literacy and technological access. The study provides a foundation for strategies that support the adoption of AI in higher education, enhancing learning outcomes in Uganda’s unique socio-economic context.https://www.tandfonline.com/doi/10.1080/2331186X.2025.2485522ChatGPT adoptionUTAUT2 frameworkuniversity studentsartificial intelligence in educationdigital literacyArtificial Intelligence
spellingShingle Afulah Namatovu
Mahadih Kyambade
Leveraging AI in academia: university students’ adoption of ChatGPT for writing coursework (take home) assignments through the lens of UTAUT2
Cogent Education
ChatGPT adoption
UTAUT2 framework
university students
artificial intelligence in education
digital literacy
Artificial Intelligence
title Leveraging AI in academia: university students’ adoption of ChatGPT for writing coursework (take home) assignments through the lens of UTAUT2
title_full Leveraging AI in academia: university students’ adoption of ChatGPT for writing coursework (take home) assignments through the lens of UTAUT2
title_fullStr Leveraging AI in academia: university students’ adoption of ChatGPT for writing coursework (take home) assignments through the lens of UTAUT2
title_full_unstemmed Leveraging AI in academia: university students’ adoption of ChatGPT for writing coursework (take home) assignments through the lens of UTAUT2
title_short Leveraging AI in academia: university students’ adoption of ChatGPT for writing coursework (take home) assignments through the lens of UTAUT2
title_sort leveraging ai in academia university students adoption of chatgpt for writing coursework take home assignments through the lens of utaut2
topic ChatGPT adoption
UTAUT2 framework
university students
artificial intelligence in education
digital literacy
Artificial Intelligence
url https://www.tandfonline.com/doi/10.1080/2331186X.2025.2485522
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