Demographic influences on university students' attitudes towards artificial intelligence

Elona Hasmujaj, Aigars Andersons

University of Shkoder, Albania, Vidzeme University of Applied Sciences

elona.hasmujaj@unishk.edu.al, aigars.andersons@va.lv

Education for digital transformation

Abstract

Recent studies conducted with university students show that attitudes towards artificial intelligence (AI) can vary significantly based on demographic variables such as gender, age, education level, and field of study. This study aims to understand the attitudes of students at the University of Shkoder, regarding artificial intelligence (AI) and to identify the possible variables that influence these attitudes. The research employs a descriptive research design, according to the quantitative approach. A sample of 170 university students, including 144 females and 26 males, was selected using non-probability sampling due to convenience. The AI attitude scale (AIAS-4) developed by Grassini in 2023, administered online, was used for data collection. The results indicated that female students display a more positive attitude towards AI compared to their male colleagues. Moreover, our research has proven a significant difference in attitudes towards AI among university students specializing in different branches, with Social Work students showing a significantly positive attitude towards AI compared to other branches. The findings of this study suggested that there are no statistically significant differences regarding AI attitudes among students of different age groups. Furthermore, we examined the influence of educational level on AI attitudes and found no significant difference in attitudes at different educational levels among university students.

In conclusion, the study at the University of Shkoder reveals that female students hold a more positive attitude towards AI compared to males. Social Work students show notably positive views. Age and educational levels do not significantly impact AI attitudes among university students. To promote diversity, AI education should be tailored to different fields of study, and ongoing research is crucial for understanding evolving attitudes towards AI.

Key words

AI education, artificial intelligence, artificial intelligence attitudes, demographic variables, students