Understanding Student Attitudes toward GenAI Tools: A Comparative Study of Serbia and Austria

This study explores university students’ attitudes toward generative AI technology and tools in two European countries. Driven by the increasing integration of AI in education and the limited research on student perceptions, particularly in European contexts, this study aimed to understand how students view GenAI and its implications for higher education. The study employed a quantitative approach, using surveys to collect data on student attitudes toward AI across different fields of study, genders, and countries. A key innovation of this research is the development of a novel “Attitude toward AI” scale, designed to provide a robust and theoretically grounded instrument for measuring student perceptions of GenAI. The scale offers a valuable tool for evaluating the effectiveness of AI integration in education. The results showed that students’ attitudes toward AI differed significantly based on their field of study and gender. Male students in technical sciences had the most positive attitudes toward AI adoption, indicating their potential to drive positive changes in AI implementation. While the effect size was small, this finding underscores the importance of considering individual factors when designing interventions to promote AI acceptance. The study underscored how prior experience shapes positive attitudes, highlighting the need for resources to familiarize students with GenAI and its ethics. The “Attitude toward AI” scale is a significant contribution addressing the lack of reliable instruments for assessing student perceptions of GenAI, enabling deeper understanding of factors influencing students’ adoption, informing targeted interventions for different student groups. Further research is needed on GenAI’s long-term impact.