Is generative artificial intelligence literacy important? A study on the factors influencing teacher’s professional flourishing

This study, based on the theoretical frameworks of self-determination theory and social support theory, uses a stratified random sampling method and a questionnaire survey to collect data from 499 university teachers at a public university in Jinan. It innovatively explores the impact of personal ability factors, such as generative artificial intelligence literacy, and external support factors on teachers’ sense of professional flourishing. Through mediation analysis, the study reveals that teachers’ professional flourishing is influenced not only by external support factors such as the research atmosphere, teaching atmosphere, and organizational emotional support but also by internal factors, including teaching efficiency and generative artificial intelligence literacy. Furthermore, the study identifies four mediating pathways. Generative artificial intelligence literacy significantly improves teachers’ professional flourishing by enhancing teaching efficiency, while the research atmosphere, teaching atmosphere, and organizational emotional support also indirectly promote teachers’ professional flourishing through increased teaching efficiency. This study provides a new perspective for educational practice, revealing the importance of the collaborative effect of both internal and external factors, such as generative artificial intelligence literacy, on teachers’ professional flourishing.