Attitudes Towards AI: The Interplay of Self-Efficacy, Well-Being, and Competency

Artificial intelligence (AI) is revolutionizing society, yet its widespread adoption is accompanied by significant ethical and societal concerns. Through a large survey, this study explores the complex interplay between self-efficacy, AI competency, cultural factors, and attitudes towards AI among UK and Arab participants. We investigate how these factors influence individual’s attitudes toward AI and its impact on well-being. Our findings reveal that self-efficacy plays a crucial role in shaping attitudes towards AI, with higher levels of self-efficacy associated with more positive attitudes and enhanced well-being. Moreover, our results show that AI competency serves as a mediator, with increased competence fostering greater confidence and positivity towards AI. Our results also show gender disparities in AI attitudes within the UK sample, with males exhibiting higher positive attitudes and lower negative attitudes compared to females. Cultural differences were evident, with the Arab sample showing higher AI competency, positive attitudes, and overall well-being compared to the UK sample. Our results emphasize the need for culturally sensitive design and implementation of AI to ensure responsible development and implementation of AI for diverse populations.