Infusing Gen Z’s Pro-Ecological Intentions: From AI Hallucinations to the Ethical Governance of Green Digital Footprints

Green AI contributes to digital sustainability in higher education by encouraging computationally efficient technologies and responsible digital practices. Despite growing interest in sustainable AI, empirical evidence remains limited on how Gen Z students develop socially responsible intentions toward the use of sustainability-aligned AI, particularly within a single host-country higher-education context. This study examines these intentions among students enrolled in Saudi Arabia, using a culturally diverse sample of Saudi and international students while treating national origin as a demographic characteristic rather than a basis for cross-national comparison. The research also addresses emerging concerns related to AI hallucinations and ethical governance in educational settings. An integrated framework is employed that combines the instrumental appraisal logic of UTAUT with responsibility-oriented constructs. The model includes Sustainable Performance Value (SPV), Responsible Use Ease (RUE), Ethical Social Norms (ESN), Institutional Ethical Support (IES), Responsible AI Competence (RAC), AI Hallucination Awareness (AHA), and Green Digital Responsibility (GDR) as predictors of Socially Responsible Intentions (SRI). Data were collected through an anonymous survey of 1159 higher-education students residing and studying within the Saudi higher-education system. The study design reflects one institutional context rather than a multi-country comparison. The findings show strong explanatory and predictive capability (R2 = 0.64; Q2 = 0.43). SPV, RAC, AHA, and GDR are the strongest predictors of SRI, while RUE shows a moderate association and IES provides contextual support; ESN is not significant. The results highlight the importance of values, competence, and risk awareness in shaping the responsible use of AI. Implications focus on governance and curriculum strategies that support sustainability-aligned engagement with AI in higher education.