Presentation
Technology Readiness Differentially Shapes Trust Pathways to Generative AI Use
SessionWednesday Poster Session
DescriptionGenerative artificial intelligence (GenAI) tools such as ChatGPT have been adopted rapidly, yet individuals vary widely in how often they use these systems and how much they trust them. This presentation examines the psychological factors that help explain these differences, focusing on technology readiness, AI literacy, general attitudes toward AI, and trust in GenAI. Using survey data from 465 U.S. adults, we identified three distinct technology readiness profiles—Anxious Adopters, Cautious Optimists, and Technology Enthusiasts—and examined how these groups differed in AI literacy, trust, attitudes, and self-reported GenAI use.
Results showed that technology enthusiasts reported the highest AI literacy, strongest trust in GenAI, and most frequent use, whereas anxious adopters reported greater distrust, lower literacy, and less frequent use. Across all groups, trust emerged as the strongest predictor of GenAI use, while AI literacy indirectly supported adoption by increasing trust. The strength of these relationships varied by technology readiness profile, suggesting that users do not engage with GenAI through a single pathway.
These findings highlight the importance of building both AI literacy and calibrated trust to support responsible, effective human–AI collaboration.
Results showed that technology enthusiasts reported the highest AI literacy, strongest trust in GenAI, and most frequent use, whereas anxious adopters reported greater distrust, lower literacy, and less frequent use. Across all groups, trust emerged as the strongest predictor of GenAI use, while AI literacy indirectly supported adoption by increasing trust. The strength of these relationships varied by technology readiness profile, suggesting that users do not engage with GenAI through a single pathway.
These findings highlight the importance of building both AI literacy and calibrated trust to support responsible, effective human–AI collaboration.
Contributor
Event Type
Poster
TimeWednesday, October 21st5:30pm - 6:30pm PDT
LocationSummit Pavilion