The aim of this study is to determine the effect of digital tools and artificial intelligence applications on the achievement, motivation and retention of university students on the basis of project-based teaching approach in foreign language course. Pre-test post-test experimental design with control group was used as the method in the study. A total of 64 (32 experimental, 32 control) second-year students studying at the universities in Almaty, Kazakhstan participated in the study. The participants were divided into two groups as control and experimental groups. Foreign language Achievement Test and Motivation Scale for foreign language were used as data collection tools. In the research, in the experimental group, applications were carried out with digital tools and artificial intelligence on the basis of project-based learning approach. In the control group, the foreign language course was carried out with the traditional teaching approach. The application lasted eight weeks in total. The results of the analysis showed that the applications carried out in the experimental group had positive effects on the students' foreign language course achievement and motivation. On the basis of the project-based learning approach, digital tools and artificial intelligence applications not only contributed positively to students' achievement and motivation, but also ensured the retention of what was learned. Finally, suggestions for future research were developed in the study.