Public perception and adoption of smart city crime prevention technologies in Kuwait: a study based on UTAUT and privacy calculus theory

Abstract The rapid integration of smart city technologies has significantly transformed urban safety by introducing advanced tools such as AI-driven surveillance, predictive policing systems, and IoT-enabled devices. This study examines public perception and the factors influencing the adoption of smart crime prevention technologies in Kuwait, drawing on the Unified Theory of Acceptance and Use of Technology (UTAUT) and Privacy Calculus Theory. A quantitative research design was employed, using a structured questionnaire distributed to 400 respondents, of which 351 valid responses were analyzed. The data were examined using multinomial and ordinal logistic regression to assess the effects of performance expectancy, effort expectancy, social influence, facilitating conditions, privacy concerns, and trust in government on behavioral intention to use (BIU) and use behavior (UB). The findings indicate that effort expectancy is the most consistent predictor of behavioral intention, highlighting the importance of perceived ease of use in technology adoption. Performance expectancy and privacy concerns demonstrate context-dependent effects, influencing behavioral intention under specific conditions rather than consistently across all cases. In contrast, social influence, facilitating conditions, and trust in government show limited impact. This study provides context-specific insights into the adoption of smart crime prevention technologies in Kuwait and highlights the importance of usability and privacy considerations in shaping public acceptance. The findings offer practical implications for policymakers and urban planners aiming to design and implement smart city solutions that align with citizens’ expectations while addressing privacy concerns.