Decoding responsible AI use: the influence of digital literacy and ethical awareness

Artificial Intelligence (AI) advancements have created the need for ethical and responsible use of AI to leverage the best out of it. The role of trust in AI systems and user training influences the attitude towards the technology. This study explores the factors that impact responsible AI usage through the lens of Digital Literacy theory and focuses on the Socio-technical dimension. Data collected from a cross-sectional survey of 347 users examined how critical AI literacy is in driving ethics and trust that lead to Responsible AI usage. SmartPLS was used for Structural equation modelling (SEM), and data analysis was conducted to verify the validity and reliability of the scales. The study unveils that digital and information literacy drive critical AI literacy, and ethics and trust significantly influence Responsible AI usage. It was interesting to understand that critical AI literacy strongly influenced ethical awareness; ethical awareness, in turn, more strongly predicted responsible AI usage than trust. The study will enhance the understanding of social and technical factors that must be addressed to reduce algorithmic bias and promote transparent AI systems.