Assessing AI Adoption in Developing Country Academia: A Trust and Privacy-augmented UTAUT Framework

The rapid evolution of Artificial Intelligence (AI) and its widespread adoption have given rise to a critical need for understanding the underlying factors that shape users' behavioral intentions. Therefore, the main objective of this study is to explain user perceived behavioral intentions and use behavior of AI technologies for academic purposes in a developing country. This study has adopted the unified theory of acceptance and use of technology (UTAUT) model and extended it with two dimensions: trust and privacy. Data have been collected from 310 AI users including teachers, researchers, and students. This study finds that users' behavioral intention is positively and significantly associated with trust, social influence, effort expectancy, and performance expectancy. Privacy, on the other hand, has a negative yet significant relationship with behavioral intention unveiling that concerns over privacy can deter users from intending to use AI technologies which is a valuable insight for developers and educators. In determining use behavior, facilitating condition, behavioral intention, and privacy have significant positive impact. This study hasn't found any significant relationship between trust and use behavior elucidating that service providers should have unwavering focus on security measures, credible endorsements, and transparency to build user confidence. In an era dominated by the fourth industrial revolution, this research underscores the pivotal roles of trust and privacy in technology adoption. In addition, this study sheds light on users' perspective to effectively align AI-based technologies with the education system of developing countries. The practical implications encompass insights for service providers, educational institutions, and policymakers, facilitating the smooth adoption of AI technologies in developing countries while emphasizing the importance of trust, privacy, and ongoing refinement.