Examining University Faculty's Acceptance of ChatGPT Through the Technology Acceptance Model

With the increasing integration of ChatGPT into higher education, understanding faculty members' acceptance intentions toward this technology has become a critical area of inquiry. Grounded in the Technology Acceptance Model (TAM), this study analyzed survey data from 264 Chinese university faculty members using structural equation modeling to explore their acceptance intentions regarding ChatGPT for teaching and research. The findings revealed three key insights: (1) Faculty members demonstrated a “high willingness to use - cautious attitude” pattern, indicating a rational balance between the perceived value of the technology and its ethical risks. (2) Training support was identified as a crucial mediating factor influencing faculty members' acceptance intentions. (3) To foster the responsible use of ChatGPT in higher education, the study recommends the development of pedagogy-oriented AI support systems tailored to faculty needs. By expanding the application of TAM theory to educational contexts, this study provides valuable theoretical and practical guidance for the responsible and effective adoption of ChatGPT in higher education.