Perception and Use of GenAI Chatbots in Education by Students at the University of Rijeka

The development of generative artificial intelligence (GenAI) technologies offers opportunities for enhancing education, particularly through AI-driven tools like chatbots. This study explores University of Rijeka students' perceptions of GenAI chatbots (N=300), examining their motivation, usage patterns, acceptance of this technology, and the perceived value it adds to their educational experience. Our results show that a substantial majority of students have accepted and are actively using GenAI chatbots in their study routines. Despite this acceptance, our findings also highlight the need for educational institutions to provide formal education and structured integration of these tools in the teaching and learning processes. These insights inform the development of an improved version of the educational recommender system ELARS, to support personalized learning and efficient chatbot interaction in STEM education.