Artificial intelligence (AI) results from the continuous development of technology and advances in information processing. One form of AI that has developed rapidly in recent years is generative AI (GAI), particularly following the launch of ChatGPT in December 2022. This launch sparked controversy and discussion about how GAI can be used in higher education. The use of GAI in studies can contribute to improved results; however, it can also have the opposite effect and negatively impact learning if used incorrectly. This study aims to supplement existing research on GAI with up-to-date information on how students currently use GAI and how the functionality of GAI tools can be designed to support university students’ academic writing.
A qualitative study was conducted using semi-structured interviews with 12 Level 4 students from the English Department at Tripoli University, Faculty of Education, Gaser Ben Ghashir. The results were analyzed through thematic analysis, identifying three main themes: organizing the text, idea generation, and revising the text. The findings provide suggestions for functionalities that are important for GAI tools to support students’ academic writing and how students can use them, thereby increasing the potential for creating favorable conditions and outcomes for the students. The study concludes that GAI tools should be designed to support students without compromising the originality of their ideas and thoughts, while also providing clear guidelines for appropriate usage in academic contexts