The study investigated the impact of ChatGPT on self-regulated learning and grit among university students in English courses. The study surveyed 88 university students enrolled in general English courses at G University in Korea. The study findings revealed that when university students used ChatGPT for their assignments, there was a significant increase in their self-regulated learning abilities, specifically in goal setting, time management, self-assessment, and task strategies. Additionally, when performing tasks using ChatGPT in groups with high continuity of grit efforts, English self-regulated learning and task strategies increased, indicating the positive impact of ChatGPT on students’ grit. These results highlight the importance of designing a curriculum focused on self-regulated learning abilities using AI, such as ChatGPT. This study provides useful insights for ELT educators on incorporating ChatGPT into general English courses to improve ELLs’ self-regulated learning and grit.