Preliminary Study to Understand the Gen Z Student’s Behaviour towards Adoption AI Chatbots with the Moderating Role of Gender Using Modified UTAUT2

Abstract

The prompt progression of Artificial Intelligence (AI) spread to all sectors including the education sectors. The development of AI chatbots as advanced instruments can enhance the teaching and learning in higher learning institutions. Regardless of powerful chatbots, the effective implementation use of AI chatbots among students in higher learning institutions depends on a composite relationship among technological, behavioural, and demographic circumstances. Furthermore, this study focuses on the Generation Z (Gen Z) students that are known as digital citizens born between the middle 1990s and early 2010s. The main objective of this preliminary study is to understand the Gen Z students’ behaviour towards adoption of AI chatbots by using Unified Theory of Acceptance and Use of Technology (UTAUT2). There are two variables added to this study. The population for this study is the students from public and private higher learning institutions in Terengganu. Hence, this study is using the convenience sampling technique to get the respondents. However, the sample size for this study is 118 students based on the G-Power. The instruments for this study were conducted online and as a result, 205 respondents have completed and returned the questionnaires. The data collected is analysed using SPSS 28.00 and PLS 4.1. There are nine behavioural intentions factors and 12 hypotheses that were constructed for this study. Nevertheless, only four were supported and the rest eight were rejected. As a result, the gender as a moderating effect between behavioural intention and adoption use of AI chatbots was rejected. This study is suggested to apply in other higher learning institutions to see the comparison between them. Furthermore, it is recommended for future research to use new variables as mediating effects or new variables as moderating effects.