Impact of ChatGPT on Academic Writing at Moroccan Universities

Abstract

The new wave of buzzword technology has launched the Chat Generative Pre-Trained Transformer (ChatGPT). The ChatGPT application, besides its benefits, has created a worldwide heated debate about its impact on quality and the future of education. Artificial intelligence and other computing technology advancements have dominated the academic scene The main aim of this paper is to map out the impact of the use of ChatGPT on academic writing at Moroccan universities. The researchers have designed a questionnaire for the purpose of this study. The research targets university students and educators for their possible expertise in academic writing. The distribution intends to ensure representation across levels of education, age, and gender. One hundred and eighty volunteers participated by providing insightful data about the investigation. The results of the study revealed that participants confirm the value and efficacy of ChatGPT as a tool; Moroccan respondents admit that ChatGPT can be both beneficial and harmful to students. Students at different educational levels venture into the use of ChatGPT without guidance and training. They are at a crossroads without direction signs in implementing ChatGPT appropriately, so they are astray about whether to use ChatGPT academically, how, and where. The educators, though they are provided with accounts in iThenticate plagiarism detector, stay aloof and claim training in their turn, but the educational authorities, ministry, and universities continue to keep taciturn.