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Acceptance of ChatGPT by undergraduates in Sri Lanka: a hybrid approach of SEM-ANN

Samsudeen Sabraz Nawaz (Department of Management and Information Technology, South Eastern University of Sri Lanka, Oluvil, Sri Lanka)
Mohamed Buhary Fathima Sanjeetha (Department of Management and Information Technology, South Eastern University of Sri Lanka, Oluvil, Sri Lanka)
Ghadah Al Murshidi (Curriculum and Instruction Department, United Arab Emirates University, Al Ain, United Arab Emirates)
Mohamed Ismail Mohamed Riyath (Department of Accountancy and Finance, South Eastern University of Sri Lanka, Oluvil, Sri Lanka)
Fadhilah Bt Mat Yamin (School of Technology Management and Logistics, Universiti Utara Malaysia, Sintok, Malaysia)
Rusith Mohamed (Department of Emerging Enterprise, Dialog Axiata PLC, Colombo, Sri Lanka)

Interactive Technology and Smart Education

ISSN: 1741-5659

Article publication date: 30 January 2024

Issue publication date: 30 October 2024

682

Abstract

Purpose

This study aims to investigate Sri Lankan Government university students’ acceptance of Chat Generative Pretrained Transformer (ChatGPT) for educational purposes. Using the unified theory of acceptance and use of technology 2 (UTAUT2) model as the primary theoretical lens, this study incorporated personal innovativeness as both a dependent and moderating variable to understand students’ ChatGPT use behaviour.

Design/methodology/approach

This quantitative study used a questionnaire survey to collect data. A total of 500 legitimate undergraduates from 17 government universities in Sri Lanka were selected for this study. Items for the variables were adopted from previously validated instruments. Partial least squares structural equation modelling (PLS-SEM) using SmartPLS 4 was used to investigate latent constructs’ relationships. Furthermore, the variables’ relative relevance was ranked using a two-stage artificial neural network analysis with the SPSS 27 application.

Findings

The results of the analysis revealed that eight of the nine proposed hypotheses were confirmed. The most significant determinants of behavioural intention were habit and performance expectancy, closely followed by hedonic motivation and perceived ease of use. Use behaviour was highly influenced by both behavioural intention and personal inventiveness. Though personal innovativeness (PI) was suggested as a moderator, the relationship was not significant.

Research limitations/implications

The research highlights the impact of habit, performance expectancy and perceived ease of use on students’ acceptance of AI applications such as ChatGPT, emphasising the need for efficient implementation techniques, individual variations in technology adoption and continuous support and training to improve students’ proficiency.

Originality/value

This study enhances the comprehension of how undergraduate students adopt ChatGPT in an educational setting. The study emphasises the significance of certain variables in the UTAUT2 model and the importance of PI in influencing the adoption of ChatGPT in educational environments.

Keywords

Citation

Sabraz Nawaz, S., Fathima Sanjeetha, M.B., Al Murshidi, G., Mohamed Riyath, M.I., Mat Yamin, F.B. and Mohamed, R. (2024), "Acceptance of ChatGPT by undergraduates in Sri Lanka: a hybrid approach of SEM-ANN", Interactive Technology and Smart Education, Vol. 21 No. 4, pp. 546-570. https://doi.org/10.1108/ITSE-11-2023-0227

Publisher

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Emerald Publishing Limited

Copyright © 2024, Emerald Publishing Limited

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