The swift progression of technology has radically reshaped our lives, becoming a big part of our daily routines and paving the way for advancements in communication, automation, and information processing. OpenAI, a company at the forefront of artificial intelligence since 2015, has made remarkable strides towards making AI accessible and beneficial for all (OpenAI, n.d.). A notable accomplishment in their journey has been the development of Chat Generative Pre-trained Transformers (ChatGPT). This study aims to identify and explore the factors influencing students' acceptance and use of ChatGPT in academic settings. Despite the rising prominence of ChatGPT across various disciplines, understanding its acceptance and utilization, particularly within the sphere of higher education, remains limited. ChatGPT holds immense potential as a valuable asset for both students and educators. Utilizing the Unified Theory of Acceptance and Use of Technology (UTAUT) and a quantitative research approach, investigating these factors. The results suggest that student acceptance and use lies in Behavioral Intention, while Behavioral Initiation is influenced by both Effort Expectancy and Performance Expectancy.