OpenAI’s ChatGPT is a sophisticated conversational AI model that facilitates various information exchanges between users on social media, especially Twitter. Despite its apparent promise in educational uses, there is a substantial lack of understanding of the complex conversations on Twitter about ChatGPT’s opportunities and concerns in learning environments. This study explores how ChatGPT influences Twitter discussions in education, focusing on sentiments, emotions, and content themes. It aims to understand the impact of ChatGPT by analyzing tweets, overcoming challenges in interpreting emotions through Natural Language Processing, and assessing opportunities and concerns in educational contexts. By adopting a qualitative methodology and analyzing 975,450 relevant tweets collected between November 30, 2022, and February 11, 2023, this research not only enhances our understanding of the evolving relationship between AI and education but also provides valuable insights for informing educational strategies, guiding policy decisions, and contributing to future AI research. The results show that ChatGPT is generally accepted in educational environments. There has been notable discussion regarding its ability to enhance teaching and learning and facilitate personalized learning, creativity, skill development, and language learning. It also assists in exam preparation and technical support. However, worries about ethical AI applications and policies, academic integrity, the potential for misuse in academic writing, its impact on the work and education environment and provide a conflicting perspective regarding how ChatGPT affects teaching methods and educational practices. It is recommended that educators and policymakers develop robust guidelines to address these ethical concerns while maximizing the benefits of using ChatGPT in education.