Influence of AI ethics awareness, attitude, anxiety, and self-efficacy on nursing students’ behavioral intentions

BACKGROUND: Artificial intelligence (AI) technology has recently seen rapid advancement, with an expanding role and scope in nursing education and healthcare. This study identifies the influence of AI ethics awareness, attitude toward AI, anxiety, and self-efficacy on nursing students’ behavioral intentions to use AI-based healthcare technology. METHODS: The participants included 189 nursing students in Gyeonggi-do, with data collected from November to December 2021 using self-reported questionnaires. We analyzed the data using the SPSS/WIN 26.0 program, including a t-test, Pearson’s correlation coefficient, and hierarchical multiple linear regression. RESULTS: The results revealed that AI ethical awareness (t = − 4.32, p < .001), positive attitude toward AI (t = − 2.60, p = .010), and self-efficacy (t = − 2.65, p = .009) scores of the third and fourth-year nursing students were higher, while their anxiety scores were lower (t = 2.30, p = .022) compared to the scores of the first and second-year nursing students. The factors influencing behavioral intention included a positive attitude toward AI (β = 0.58) and self-efficacy (β = 0.22). The adjusted R(2) was 0.42. CONCLUSION: It is necessary to inculcate a positive attitude toward AI and self-efficacy by providing educational programs on AI-based technology in healthcare settings.