Students’ Readiness and Ethical Considerations to Adopt Generative AI in their learning: An International Comparative Study

Abstract This study investigates students’ readiness to adopt Generative AI (GenAI) in their learning and their ethical considerations across four countries: the United Kingdom, Germany, Poland and Israel. Data were collected from February to May 2024 from 869 students through a questionnaire addressing GenAI readiness and ethical considerations. The findings reveal marked differences in students’ readiness for GenAI, with Israel and Poland generally leading in most aspects of GenAI readiness, particularly in understanding and practical knowledge, while the UK and Germany often show lower readiness levels, though this varies in specific aspects. A notable finding is the low access to paid and institutional tools across all countries. Ethical perspectives on GenAI usage varied significantly among the four countries, reflecting diverse cultural attitudes toward technology, with Polish and Israeli students generally showing higher awareness of ethical concerns, while UK students appear less concerned about potential ethical issues. German students tend to take a moderate position but show particular concern about unauthorized use. The findings highlight the importance of developing culturally sensitive approaches to GenAI integration in higher education that consider local institutional frameworks and educational traditions. This research contributes to understanding the complex interplay between cultural factors and technology adoption in education, suggesting that successful GenAI implementation requires tailored strategies that account for diverse cultural contexts while addressing universal challenges of accessibility and ethical use.