The integration of Artificial Intelligence (AI) tools in higher education is reshaping how students engage with academic writing. This study explores student perspectives on the use of DeepSeek, an AI-powered writing assistant, in supporting their writing development. Through guided classroom implementation, students were encouraged to use the tool independently to review and revise their academic texts, with a focus on improving grammar, coherence, and clarity. Qualitative data were collected through student reflections, interviews, and instructor observations. The findings highlight that student perceived DeepSeek as an empowering tool that provided immediate, detailed, and non-judgmental feedback. Lots of students reported increased confidence in identifying and correcting their own errors, greater ownership of the revision process, and a clearer understanding of academic writing conventions. From the student perspective, the integration of AI fostered a more autonomous and reflective approach to writing. This study underscores the potential of AI tools to enhance academic writing instruction by promoting student agency and supporting self-directed learning.