Given the positive impact of scaffolding on English pre-reading activities and the benefits of generative AI tools for language learning such as more personalized learning environments and conversational dialogues between learners and AI tools, this research aims to investigate the effects of integrating generative AI tool, ChatGPT, into scaffolded pre-reading activities. A quasi-experimental research was adopted and a total of 97 freshmen students were involved with 51 in the experimental group and 46 in the control group to compare the potential effects of the Gen-AI-supported scaffolds with the traditional teacher-led scaffolded English pre-reading activities on university students’ English reading comprehension performance via pre- and post-tests. A questionnaire was also conducted before and after the experiment to examine participants’ learning motivation and learning attitude toward English.