Nurses' opinions and anxiety levels regarding artificial intelligence technologies

Aim: Artificial intelligence (AI) anxiety is a contemporary issue that may hinder the adoption, use, and acceptance of AI technology in nursing care. This study aims to assess nurses’opinions and anxiety levels regarding AI. Materials and Methods: This cross-sectional and descriptive study utilized self-report questionnaires distributed to 263 nurses between January and June 2023. Data were collected using the “nurses information form” and “artificial intelligence anxiety scale (AIAS)”. Results: The findings indicated that while 83.7% of nurses reported being informed about AI, only 4.9% had received formal training, and 9.1% had used AI technology in nursing care. The total mean AIAS score was 61.79±27.70, with sub-dimensions scores of 22.21±11.96 for "learning," 16.12±8.37 for “job replacement,” 13.99±7.05 for “sociotechnical blindness,” and 9.46±5.77 for “AI configuration.” Conclusion: Although nurses exhibited low levels of AI-related anxiety generally held positive views regarding AI, their use of AI in nursing practice remained minimal. Continuous education programs should be implemented to enhance AI utilization in healthcare, facilitate adaptation, improve nurses’ technological skills, and mitigate AI-related anxiety.