AI LITERACY AND AI SELF-EFFICACY: TECHNOLOGY ADOPTION AS A MEDIATOR FOR LEARNING AMONG TAIWANESE ENGINEERING STUDENTS

Abstract

As Artificial Intelligence (AI) continues to reshape education, it is crucial to understand the factors influencing students’ AI self-efficacy (AISE). While previous research has identified AI literacy as a key factor, findings from Western contexts suggest its direct impact on AISE may be limited, indicating a need to explore potential mediators. This study investigates the relationships between AI literacy, technology application, and AISE, in a sample of 186 engineering students from National Ilan University, Taiwan. Using a validated questionnaire, SPSS 30, and structural equation modeling (SEM), the analysis reveals that higher AI literacy is associated with greater AI self-efficacy. Technology application significantly predicts AISE and mediates the relationship between AI literacy and students’ self-efficacy in using AI tools. These findings address a research gap in AI literacy and self-efficacy, offer practical implications for educators, and provide empirical insights into AI adoption within Eastern educational contexts.