The purpose of this study is to identify the perceptions of university students regarding the use of generative AI in problem-based learning (PBL) English courses. Specifically, the study measured the participants’ perceptions of their overall improvement in their English and convergence skills related to the affective factors, self-regulated learning, and perceived achievement. To obtain the results, a survey was conducted with 84 university students who were enrolled in an AI-based PBL course at a four-year university in Gyeongnam Province. The results showed that the higher the awareness of affective factors and the higher the self-regulated learning, the higher the perceived achievement. The results also indicated that self-regulated learning had a greater influence on perceived achievement than affective factors. In learner-centered PBL English education, the focus is on improving communication, interaction skills, and critical thinking. As a result, students’ interest in learning through generative AI utilization experiences increased.