IDEAS home Printed from https://ideas.repec.org/a/gam/jscscx/v14y2025i6p355-d1671151.html
   My bibliography  Save this article

Artificial Intelligence Adoption Amongst Digitally Proficient Trainee Teachers: A Structural Equation Modelling Approach

Author

Listed:
  • María Belén Morales-Cevallos

    (Faculty of Marketing and Communication, Universidad Ecotec, Via Principal Campus Ecotec Km 13.5, Samborondón 092302, Ecuador)

  • Santiago Alonso-García

    (Departament of Didactics and School Organization, Universidad de Granada, 18011 Granada, Spain)

  • Alejandro Martínez-Menéndez

    (Departament of Didactics and School Organization, Universidad de Granada, 18011 Granada, Spain)

  • Juan José Victoria-Maldonado

    (Departament of Didactics and School Organization, Universidad de Granada, 18011 Granada, Spain)

Abstract

The present study examines how pre-service teachers’ digital competence influences their acceptance and use of Artificial Intelligence (AI) in educational settings. Employing a quantitative approach via Structural Equation Modelling (SEM), the authors analyzed self-reported data from Early Childhood and Elementary Education students in Andalusian (Spain) universities. The findings indicate that professional engagement is associated with a critical assessment of AI, focusing on pedagogical and ethical considerations, whereas digital content creation skills promote a more positive and proactive attitude toward AI adoption. These results underscore the importance of teacher education programs that combine technical skills with critical thinking to foster responsible AI integration. This study acknowledges limitations, including its regional scope and cross-sectional design and recommends future longitudinal and comparative research to validate and expand these insights. By addressing these gaps, future studies could enhance our understanding of AI adoption in diverse educational contexts.

Suggested Citation

  • María Belén Morales-Cevallos & Santiago Alonso-García & Alejandro Martínez-Menéndez & Juan José Victoria-Maldonado, 2025. "Artificial Intelligence Adoption Amongst Digitally Proficient Trainee Teachers: A Structural Equation Modelling Approach," Social Sciences, MDPI, vol. 14(6), pages 1-23, June.
    • Handle: RePEc:gam:jscscx:v:14:y:2025:i:6:p:355-:d:1671151
    as

    Download full text from publisher

    File URL: https://www.mdpi.com/2076-0760/14/6/355/pdf
    Download Restriction: no
    File URL: https://www.mdpi.com/2076-0760/14/6/355/
    Download Restriction: no
    ---><---

    References listed on IDEAS

    as
    1. Gordon W. Cheung & Helena D. Cooper-Thomas & Rebecca S. Lau & Linda C. Wang, 2024. "Reporting reliability, convergent and discriminant validity with structural equation modeling: A review and best-practice recommendations," Asia Pacific Journal of Management, Springer, vol. 41(2), pages 745-783, June.
    2. Marko Sarstedt & Christian M. Ringle & Joseph F. Hair, 2022. "Partial Least Squares Structural Equation Modeling," Springer Books, in: Christian Homburg & Martin Klarmann & Arnd Vomberg (ed.), Handbook of Market Research, pages 587-632, Springer.
    3. Hanan Khalil & Said Alsenaidi, 2024. "Teachers’ digital competencies for effective AI integration in higher education in Oman," Journal of Education and e-Learning Research, Asian Online Journal Publishing Group, vol. 11(4), pages 698-707.
    4. Gerbing, David W & Anderson, James C, 1984. "On the Meaning of Within-Factor Correlated Measurement Errors," Journal of Consumer Research, Journal of Consumer Research Inc., vol. 11(1), pages 572-580, June.
    5. William Black & Barry J. Babin, 2019. "Multivariate Data Analysis: Its Approach, Evolution, and Impact," Springer Books, in: Barry J. Babin & Marko Sarstedt (ed.), The Great Facilitator, pages 121-130, Springer.
    6. Gordon W. Cheung & Helena D. Cooper‑Thomas & Rebecca S. Lau & Linda C. Wang, 2024. "Correction to: Reporting reliability, convergent and discriminant validity with structural equation modeling: A review and best-practice recommendations," Asia Pacific Journal of Management, Springer, vol. 41(2), pages 785-787, June.
    Full references (including those not matched with items on IDEAS)

    Most related items

    These are the items that most often cite the same works as this one and are cited by the same works as this one.
    1. Ifeanyi Mbukanma & Vikela Liso Sithole & Yiseyon Sunday Hosu, 2025. "Exploring the Factors Enhancing Marketability of Coastal Agricultural Products in Rural South Africa," Economies, MDPI, vol. 13(5), pages 1-16, May.
    2. Aminjonova, Gulrukhsor & Khasanova, Dilfuzakhon, 2024. "How Perceived CSR Drives Customer Value Co-Creation in E-Commerce: Examining the Moderating Effect of Gender and the Mediating Effect of Satisfaction," SocArXiv 69cdm, Center for Open Science.
    3. Meng Qi & Zulhamri Abdullah & Saiful Nujaimi Abdul Rahman, 2024. "Navigating the Digital Landscape: Evaluating the Impacts of Digital IMC on Building and Maintaining Destination Brand Equity," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 16(20), pages 1-19, October.
    4. Stanislav Avsec & Magdalena Jagiełło-Kowalczyk & Agnieszka Żabicka & Joanna Gil-Mastalerczyk & Agata Gawlak, 2024. "Human-Centered Systems Thinking in Technology-Enhanced Sustainable and Inclusive Architectural Design," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 16(22), pages 1-45, November.
    5. Gasto Jerome Lyakurwa & Mercy Chepkemoi Chepkwony & Edwin Sabuhoro, 2025. "Community Perceptions on Conservation, Livelihood Vulnerability and Quality of Life Around Tanzania’s Kilimanjaro National Park," Land, MDPI, vol. 14(2), pages 1-23, February.
    6. Mehmet Ozan Karahan & Fatih Åžahin, 2025. "The Influence of Atmospheric Cues on Impulsive Buying Behavior: Exploring the Roles of Utilitarian and Hedonic Browsing," Tržište/Market, Faculty of Economics and Business, University of Zagreb, vol. 37(1), pages 73-194.
    7. Nadia Rehman & Xiao Huang & Amir Mahmood & Misbah Shafait Abbasi & Jialu Qin & Wenxi Wu, 2025. "Assessing Pakistan’s readiness for STEM education: an analysis of teacher preparedness, policy frameworks, and resource availability," Humanities and Social Sciences Communications, Palgrave Macmillan, vol. 12(1), pages 1-17, December.
    8. Saima Hussain & Rizwan Raheem Ahmed & Dalia Streimikiene & Faheem Bukhari & Justas Streimikis, 2025. "Metaverse Marketing: A Business-To-Business Analysis of Brand Strategies and Generation Z Engagement in the Sports Industry," The AMFITEATRU ECONOMIC journal, Academy of Economic Studies - Bucharest, Romania, vol. 27(70), pages 1091-1091, August.
    9. Theoneste Manishimwe & Fahad Abdulrahman & Ahmed Umar Alkali & Lukman Raimi, 2025. "Influence of organizational learning capability on the competitive advantage of entrepreneurial firms: a resource-based perspective," SN Business & Economics, Springer, vol. 5(7), pages 1-29, July.
    10. Zhaoyang Xin & Jingyue Zhang, 2025. "Too little time to care for my loved ones: time poverty for quality of care and the moderating role of community social capital among family caregivers," Humanities and Social Sciences Communications, Palgrave Macmillan, vol. 12(1), pages 1-11, December.
    11. Bing Fu & Suhaiza Zailani, 2025. "Factors Influencing Circular Carbon Economy Readiness Among Heavy Industries in China," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 17(3), pages 1-30, January.
    12. Kaung Mon Winn & Maame Esi Woode & Gozde Aydin & Gang Chen, 2025. "Systematic Review of Self-Reported Multidimensional Instruments Used to Measure Quality of Life and Subjective Well-Being of Children and Adolescents," Social Indicators Research: An International and Interdisciplinary Journal for Quality-of-Life Measurement, Springer, vol. 177(2), pages 671-731, March.
    13. Chih-Wen Ting & Hung-Xin Li & Kuei-Hsien Chen & Yue-Shi Lee & Show-Jane Yen, 2024. "How Can Organizational Leadership Promote Environmental Behaviors through Corporate Social Responsibility Policy Adoption? The Moderating Role of Environmental Awareness," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 16(17), pages 1-13, September.
    14. Ibrahim Mansaray & Tarik Atan, 2025. "Exploring Corporate Social Responsibility: The Role of Transformational Leadership, Innovative Work Behavior, and Organizational Culture in Public Universities of Sierra Leone," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 17(17), pages 1-39, August.
    15. XIangyu Bian & Bin Wang & Kunxiang LI & Zemeng DU, 2025. "Navigating ethical decision-making in digital transformation: ethical climate, digital competence, and person-organization fit in China’s banking sector," Humanities and Social Sciences Communications, Palgrave Macmillan, vol. 12(1), pages 1-15, December.
    16. Le, Hoang Tran Phuoc Mai & Van Nguyen, Phuong & Stokes, Peter, 2025. "Green influencers and consumers’ decoupling behaviors for parasocial relationships and sustainability. A comparative study between Korea and Vietnam," Journal of Retailing and Consumer Services, Elsevier, vol. 84(C).
    17. Dina El-Shihy & Sarah Awaad, 2025. "Leveraging social media for sustainable fashion: how brand and user-generated content influence Gen Z’s purchase intentions," Future Business Journal, Springer, vol. 11(1), pages 1-13, December.
    18. Luo, Xi & Cheah, Jun-Hwa & Hollebeek, Linda D. & Lim, Xin-Jean, 2024. "Boosting customers’ impulsive buying tendency in live-streaming commerce: The role of customer engagement and deal proneness," Journal of Retailing and Consumer Services, Elsevier, vol. 77(C).
    19. repec:osf:socarx:69cdm_v1 is not listed on IDEAS
    20. Hilmi Birinci & Ismet Esenyel & Hayford Asare Obeng, 2025. "Sustainable Destination Management in Luxury Tourism: Balancing Economic Development and Environmental Responsibility," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 17(15), pages 1-35, July.
    21. Javeria Younus Hamidani & Haider Ali, 2025. "Enterprise Architecture for Sustainable SME Resilience: Exploring Change Triggers, Adaptive Capabilities, and Financial Performance in Developing Economies," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 17(15), pages 1-23, July.

    More about this item

    Keywords

    ;
    ;
    ;
    ;
    ;

    Statistics

    Access and download statistics

    Corrections

    All material on this site has been provided by the respective publishers and authors. You can help correct errors and omissions. When requesting a correction, please mention this item's handle: RePEc:gam:jscscx:v:14:y:2025:i:6:p:355-:d:1671151. See general information about how to correct material in RePEc.

    If you have authored this item and are not yet registered with RePEc, we encourage you to do it here. This allows to link your profile to this item. It also allows you to accept potential citations to this item that we are uncertain about.

    If CitEc recognized a bibliographic reference but did not link an item in RePEc to it, you can help with this form .

    If you know of missing items citing this one, you can help us creating those links by adding the relevant references in the same way as above, for each refering item. If you are a registered author of this item, you may also want to check the "citations" tab in your RePEc Author Service profile, as there may be some citations waiting for confirmation.

    For technical questions regarding this item, or to correct its authors, title, abstract, bibliographic or download information, contact: MDPI Indexing Manager (email available below). General contact details of provider: https://www.mdpi.com .

    Please note that corrections may take a couple of weeks to filter through the various RePEc services.

    IDEAS is a RePEc service. RePEc uses bibliographic data supplied by the respective publishers.