The release of ChatGPT in November 2022 was a pivotal moment in the integration of artificial intelligence in higher education. Originally designed to imitate human interaction, ChatGPT quickly gained popularity among students for its real-time feedback, flexible learning, and personalised support, potentially enhancing employability skills. Due to the lack of quantitative studies on this topic, the main objective of this paper is to examine the potential of ChatGPT in developing student employability skills. The data were collected using a convenience sampling method between October 2023 and February 2024, capturing the early perceptions of a sample of 23,218 students on ChatGPT. The empirical analysis is based on descriptive statistics, calculating top-two box scores to represent the percentage of students agreeing with various statements about ChatGPT’s potential to improve employability skills and comparing these scores across different socio-demographic backgrounds. The results reveal that ChatGPT is perceived as a potentially efficient tool for developing hard, soft, and digital skills. However, these perceptions vary across different academic disciplines and income regions. The findings hold significant value for policymakers and educators, helping them responsibly incorporate ChatGPT into higher education and ultimately address the varied needs of students and the evolving demands of the labour market.