Predictors of AI awareness among EFL learners: gender, English proficiency, ICT usage, and the personality traits
Year: 2026
Type: article
Study design: Observational Study
Abstract: This study examined English as a Foreign Language (EFL) learners’ awareness of artificial intelligence (AI) and its associations with gender, Big Five personality traits, self-assessed English proficiency, and information and communication technology (ICT) usage. A quantitative, cross-sectional survey design was employed, and participants were selected through convenience sampling. Data were collected from 155 EFL university students at a public university in Türkiye during the spring semester of 2024. Statistical analyses were performed using SPSS Version 26.0. A K-means cluster analysis identified two distinct personality profiles–Introverted–Neurotic and Open–Extraverted. A multivariate analysis of variance (MANOVA) was then conducted to examine whether gender, personality profile, English proficiency, and ICT usage predicted differences across four dimensions of AI awareness: Basic Knowledge, Benefit, Bias, and Negative Forecast. No statistically significant differences emerged across demographic or personality factors, suggesting a relatively homogeneous level of AI awareness among EFL learners. Stepwise regression analyses revealed that Openness and Extraversion were significant predictors of overall AI awareness. These findings indicate that personality characteristics–particularly openness to experience–play a meaningful role in shaping learners’ engagement with AI technologies in language education.
Source: Frontiers in Education
Authors: Gülten Genç, İbrahim Rıhawi
Institution: Inonu University
Language: English
Subfield: Information Systems
Field: Computer Science
Domain: Physical Sciences
SDG: Quality education
Open Access status: gold
Estimated APC paid: $2,353
OpenAlex ID: W7128442105