AUTHOR=Zhao Zixuan , An Qi , Liu Jiaqi 

TITLE=Exploring AI tool adoption in higher education: evidence from a PLS-SEM model integrating multimodal literacy, self-efficacy, and university support

JOURNAL=Frontiers in Psychology

VOLUME=Volume 16 - 2025

YEAR=2025

URL=https://www.frontiersin.org/journals/psychology/articles/10.3389/fpsyg.2025.1619391

DOI=10.3389/fpsyg.2025.1619391

ISSN=1664-1078

ABSTRACT=IntroductionFramed within the technology acceptance model, this study examines how multimodal literacy, self-efficacy, and university support affect students’ attitudes toward artificial intelligence tools and the students’ intentions to adopt them.MethodsSurvey data from 498 students were analyzed using PLS-SEM 4.0 and SPSS 29.ResultsThe findings showed that the perceived usefulness of the AI tools was the strongest predictor of both attitude toward the tools and intention to use them. All three antecedent variables (multimodal literacy, self-efficacy, and university support) significantly impacted perceived usefulness and perceived ease of use.DiscussionBy integrating individual dimensions and also institutional dimensions into the technology acceptance model, this study offers fresh insight into how AI tools might take root more effectively in higher education.