The impact of artificial intelligence on consumers’ willingness to use CBDCs: evidence from the Chinese banking sector

Abstract Central Bank Digital Currencies (CBDCs) have gained significant attention as potential innovations in the global financial landscape. The incorporation of artificial intelligence (AI) in the financial sector has brought transformative changes, particularly in the adoption and usage of CBDCs. Therefore, this study explores the impact of artificial intelligence (AI) on consumers’ intentions toward adopting CBDCs in the Chinese banking sector through digital technology awareness, addressing privacy concerns, and ease of use with the moderating role of government support. This research study examined the relationships of a sample of 420 employees in the Chinese banking sector. The current study uses the partial least squares structural equation modeling (PLS-SEM) method to assess these parameters. The findings show that artificial intelligence positively impacts consumers’ willingness to use CBDCs in the Chinese banking sector through digital technology awareness, addressing privacy concerns, and ease of use. Furthermore, government support significantly influences the link between AI, digital technology awareness, addressing privacy concerns, and ease of use. This study contributes to the literature on digital currency adoption by highlighting the critical role of AI in enhancing user experiences and trust in financial innovations. It also provides practical insights for policymakers and financial institutions to leverage AI technologies to strategically foster CBDCs adoption in China.