Effects of Digital Inclusion Level on Digital Utilization Competence, Artificial Intelligence Competence, and Life Satisfaction

This study investigated the structural relationships among digitalinclusion level, digital utilization competence, artificial intelligence (AI)competence, and life satisfaction, using data from Korea’s 2024 Digital Divide Survey. A total of 6,988 responses from the general population were analyzedthrough structural equation modeling (SEM). The results revealed that, first,digital inclusion level had a partially significant effect on digital utilizationcompetence, with mobile utilization skills and digital literacy emerging as themost influential factors. Digital inclusion level also influenced AI competence,particularly through digital literacy, digital self-efficacy, and AI perception, whilethe burden of internet costs showed a negative effect. Digital inclusion levelsignificantly affected life satisfaction, with digital self-efficacy and digital literacydemonstrating the strongest impact. Finally, both digital utilization competenceand AI competence positively affected life satisfaction, and AI competenceexhibited the greatest explanatory power. In conclusion, we found that digitalinformation technology can effectively improve daily life satisfaction bystrengthening competency, self-efficacy, and AI awareness, rather than simplyaccessibility. This suggests that future digital inclusion policies need to focus oncapacity building and AI literacy education, beyond infrastructure support