This study examines the determinants and mechanisms underlying the acceptance of ChatGPT—a state-of-the-art language model developed by OpenAI—in higher education in France. We focus on trust, social influence, and price value—factors that are particularly important in shaping the attitudes and behaviors of young adults. Our theoretical model is grounded in UTAUT2 and enriched with perspectives from trust formation theories. Drawing on institutional theory, social influence is disaggregated into four distinct constructs: peer influence, peer pressure, institutional influence, and institutional pressure, reflecting the diverse forms of interaction within the student social environment. The model is validated using the PLS-SEM method on survey data from 107 university students. This research contributes to a deeper understanding of the conditions under which generative AI technologies are embraced in academic contexts and offers insights for developing more effective institutional strategies for responsible integration.