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

María Belén Morales-Cevallos, Santiago Alonso-García, Alejandro Martínez-Menéndez and Juan José Victoria-Maldonado ()
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María Belén Morales-Cevallos: Faculty of Marketing and Communication, Universidad Ecotec, Via Principal Campus Ecotec Km 13.5, Sam-borondón 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

Social Sciences, 2025, vol. 14, issue 6, 1-23

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.

Keywords: artificial intelligence (AI); teacher training; educational technology; digital competence; AI adoption in education (search for similar items in EconPapers)
JEL-codes: A B N P Y80 Z00 (search for similar items in EconPapers)
Date: 2025
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