The emergence of ChatGPT (Chat Generative Pre-trained Transformer) has created new opportunities and challenges in the field of education. This paper explores the usage of ChatGPT to improve learning efficiency, teaching effectiveness, and educational efficiency in pharmacology instruction. The study evaluated the usage of ChatGPT across three stages of pharmacology coursework: pre-class preparation, post-class extension, and evaluation, through comparison with conventional settings in these stages. Generative artificial intelligence can be used as a virtual teaching assistant and learning aid. It can be used to transform learning styles across the above three stages to focus on cultivating critical and creative thinking in students. ChatGPT can play a leading role in teaching, and help better balance the relationship between education and artificial intelligence. However, we need to clarify the status of ChatGPT as a tool and prevent over-reliance on it.