SavedAdd your journal

Journals / Online Journal of Technology Addiction and Cyberbullying / 2026 / Cilt: 13 Sayı: 1

To Fear or to Embrace? The Interplay Between Artificial Intelligence Anxiety, Attitudes, and Future Anxiety

Korku mu, Kabul mü? Yapay Zeka Kaygısı, Tutumları ve Gelecek Kaygısı Arasındaki Etkileşim

Barış Bilen0009-0008-2879-4275
Mehmet Kaya(SAKARYA ÜNİVERSİTESİ, EĞİTİM FAKÜLTESİ)0000-0003-2659-3601
Eyüp Çelik(SAKARYA ÜNİVERSİTESİ, EĞİTİM FAKÜLTESİ)0000-0002-7714-9263
Pages
1–28
Publication Date
2026-06-12
DOI
—
🏛️Bibliographic metadata and full text access for this article are provided via DergiPark.
DergiPark Record ↗
✨

AI Summary & Key Takeaways

AI Insight
⚡ TL;DR(Too Long; Didn't Read)

The study concludes that higher education institutions should develop targeted strategies to foster psychological preparedness and mitigate the negative impact of artificial intelligence anxiety on the next generation of professionals.

📌 3 Key Takeaways

🎯
Objective & Hypothesis:Abstract: As artificial intelligence (AI) systems become increasingly embedded in educational environments, they offer new efficiencies but also introduce potential psychological challenges for students.
📊
Key Findings & Data:The sample consisted of 450 valid undergraduate participants from Sakarya University.
💡
Conclusion & Impact:The study concludes that higher education institutions should develop targeted strategies to foster psychological preparedness and mitigate the negative impact of artificial intelligence anxiety on the next generation of professionals.
🔬Design:Survey & Empirical Study
📍Scope:Comprehensive Sample
⚙️Variables:Yapay Zeka Tutumu · Yapay Zeka Kaygısı · Gelecek Kaygısı

Abstract

Abstract: As artificial intelligence (AI) systems become increasingly embedded in educational environments, they offer new efficiencies but also introduce potential psychological challenges for students. This study utilized a quantitative, cross-sectional correlational survey design to investigate relationships among AI anxiety, attitudes toward AI, and future anxiety. The sample consisted of 450 valid undergraduate participants from Sakarya University. Data were collected using the Future Anxiety Scale, the Artificial Intelligence Anxiety (AIA) Scale, and the Student Attitudes toward Artificial Intelligence Scale (SATAI). The results revealed a significant negative correlation between AI anxiety and general attitudes toward AI, and a significant positive correlation between AI anxiety and future anxiety. Specific sub-dimensions of AI anxiety, such as job displacement and sociotechnical blindness, exhibited strong positive correlations with future anxiety. Furthermore, female students reported significantly higher levels of AI anxiety and future anxiety compared to male students. Analysis of demographic variables showed a large effect size on AI anxiety, while the effects on future anxiety and attitudes toward AI remained small. Students with previous AI experience and active paid subscriptions demonstrated significantly more adaptable attitudes. These findings highlight how technological uncertainties can shape the future outlook of university students. The study concludes that higher education institutions should develop targeted strategies to foster psychological preparedness and mitigate the negative impact of artificial intelligence anxiety on the next generation of professionals.

Özet

Özet: Yapay zeka (YZ) teknolojilerinin gelişimi, bu sistemleri eğitim ekosistemlerine derinlemesine entegre ederek hem artan verimliliği hem de olası psikolojik sonuçları beraberinde getirmiştir. Bu çalışma; yapay zeka kaygısı, YZ’ye yönelik tutumlar ve gelecek kaygısı arasındaki ilişkileri araştırmak için nicel, kesitsel korelasyonel bir tarama deseni kullanmıştır. Örneklem, Sakarya Üniversitesi'nden 450 geçerli lisans öğrencisinden oluşmaktadır. Veriler; Gelecek Kaygısı Ölçeği, Yapay Zeka Kaygısı Ölçeği (YZKÖ) ve Öğrencilerin Yapay Zekaya Yönelik Tutumları Ölçeği (ÖYZTÖ) kullanılarak toplanmıştır. Sonuçlar, YZ kaygısı ile YZ’ye yönelik genel tutumlar arasında anlamlı düzeyde negatif bir korelasyon ve YZ kaygısı ile gelecek kaygısı arasında anlamlı düzeyde pozitif bir korelasyon olduğunu ortaya koymuştur. İş kaybı ve sosyoteknik körlük gibi YZ kaygısının belirli alt boyutları, gelecek kaygısı ile güçlü pozitif korelasyonlar göstermiştir. Ayrıca kadın öğrenciler, erkek öğrencilere göre anlamlı düzeyde daha yüksek YZ kaygısı ve gelecek kaygısı bildirmişlerdir. Demografik değişkenlerin analizi, YZ kaygısı üzerinde büyük bir etki büyüklüğü gösterirken; gelecek kaygısı ve YZ’ye yönelik tutumlar üzerindeki etkiler küçük kalmıştır. Önceki YZ deneyimi olan ve aktif ücretli aboneliği bulunan öğrenciler anlamlı derecede daha uyumlu tutumlar sergilemişlerdir. Bu bulgular, teknolojik belirsizliklerin üniversite öğrencilerinin gelecek bakış açısını nasıl şekillendirdiğini vurgulamaktadır. Çalışma, yükseköğretim kurumlarının psikolojik hazırlığı teşvik etmek ve yapay zeka kaygısının gelecek nesil profesyoneller üzerindeki olumsuz etkilerini azaltmak için hedefe yönelik stratejiler geliştirmesi gerektiği sonucuna varmaktadır.

🔖

Cite This Article

Bilen, B., Kaya, M., Çelik, E. (2026). To Fear or to Embrace? The Interplay Between Artificial Intelligence Anxiety, Attitudes, and Future Anxiety. Online Journal of Technology Addiction and Cyberbullying, Cilt: 13 Sayı: 1, 1–28. https://ajindex.com/articles/1533566

📄 Full Text PDF Viewer

📄

PDF görüntüleyici hazırlanıyor...

References (71)

  1. Akkaya, B., Özkan, A., & Özkan, H. (2021). Artificial intelligence anxiety (AIA) scale: Adaptation to Turkish, validity and reliability study. Alanya Academic Review Journal, 5(2), 1125–1146. https://doi.org/10.29023/alanyaakademik.833668
  2. Aktaş Reyhan, F., & Dağlı, E. (2023). Evaluation of midwifery students’ anxiety regarding artificial intelligence used in the field of health. Journal of Health Sciences Institute, 8(Special Issue), 290–296. https://doi.org/10.51754/cusbed.12865942
  3. Albayrak, B., Özdemir, G., Ölçer Us, Y., & Yüzbaşıoğlu, E. (2021). Artificial intelligence technologies in dentistry. Deneysel ve Klinik Tıp Dergisi, 38(3s), 188-194. https://doi.org/10.52142/omujecm.38.si.dent.18
  4. Alexander, S. L., Skues, J., Wise, L., & Sharp, J. (2025). An investigation of occupational awareness, career adaptability and career anxiety amongst tertiary education students: Testing a moderation model. Education + Training, 67(10), 40–55. https://doi.org/10.1108/ET-11-2023-0471
  5. Alkhalifah, J. M., Bedaiwi, A. M., Shaikh, N., Seddiq, W., & Meo, S. A. (2024). Existential anxiety about artificial intelligence (AI) - is it the end of humanity era or a new chapter in the human revolution: Questionnaire-based observational study. Frontiers in Psychiatry, 15, Article 1368122. https://doi.org/10.3389/fpsyt.2024.1368122
  6. Al-Mansoori, R. S., Al-Thani, D., & Ali, R. (2023). Designing for digital wellbeing: From theory to practice a scoping review. Human Behavior and Emerging Technologies, 2023, Article 9924029. https://doi.org/10.1155/2023/9924029
  7. Ayed, A., Aqtam, I., Malak, M. Z., Toqan, D., Hammad, B. M., Qaddumi, J., & Shouli, M. (2025). Insights into the relationship between emotional intelligence and critical thinking among nursing students. BMC Nursing, 24(1), Article 1107. https://doi.org/10.1186/s12912-025-03782-7
  8. Boo, S., Wang, C., & Kim, M. (2021). Career adaptability, future time perspective, and career anxiety among undergraduate students: A cross-national comparison. Journal of Hospitality Leisure Sport & Tourism Education, 29, Article 100328. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jhlste.2021.100328
  9. Briggs, S. R., & Cheek, J. M. (1986). The role of factor analysis in the development and evaluation of personality scales. Journal of Personality, 54(1), 106-148. https://doi.org/10.1111/j.1467-6494.1986.tb00391.x
  10. Budhwar, P., Malik, A., De Silva, M. T. T., & Thevisuthan, P. (2022). Artificial intelligence – challenges and opportunities for international HRM: A review and research agenda. The International Journal of Human Resource Management, 33(6), 1065–1097. https://doi.org/10.1080/09585192.2022.2035161
  11. Cengiz, H. (2025). The relationship between doomscrolling, artificial intelligence anxiety, and job finding anxiety among university students. OPUS Journal of Society Research, 22(4), 627-639. https://doi.org/10.26466/opusjsr.1695844
  12. Cengiz, S., & Peker, A. (2025). Generative artificial intelligence acceptance and artificial intelligence anxiety among university students: The sequential mediating role of attitudes toward artificial intelligence and literacy. Current Psychology, 44, 7991–8000. https://doi.org/10.1007/s12144-025-07433-7
  13. Chen, C., Hu, W., & Wei, X. (2025). From anxiety to action: Exploring the impact of artificial intelligence anxiety and artificial intelligence self-efficacy on motivated learning of undergraduate students. Interactive Learning Environments, 33(4), 3162-3177. https://doi.org/10.1080/10494820.2024.2440877
  14. Chew, S., Abd Razak, S. S., & Lo, Y. T. (2025). The relationship between artificial intelligence usage and academic performance of students at a Malaysian public university. International Journal of Pervasive Computing and Communications. Advance online publication. https://doi.org/10.1108/IJPCC-05-2025-0186
  15. Cronbach, L. J. (1951). Coefficient alpha and the internal structure of tests. Psychometrika, 16(3), 297-334.
  16. Davis, F. D. (1989). Perceived usefulness, perceived ease of use, and user acceptance of information technology. MIS Quarterly, 13(3), 319-340.
  17. Dogaru, M., Pisică, O., Popa, C. Ș., Răgman, A. A., & Tololoi, I. R. (2025). The perceived impact of artificial intelligence on academic learning. Frontiers in Artificial Intelligence, 8, Article 1611183. https://doi.org/10.3389/frai.2025.1611183
  18. Dong, M., Conway, J. R., Bonnefon, J. -F., Shariff, A., & Rahwan, I. (2026). Fears about artificial intelligence across 20 countries and six domains of application. American Psychologist, 81(1), 53–67. https://doi.org/10.1037/amp0001454
  19. Dou, X., Ma, C., & Fan, A. (2025). The impact of robotic integration on prospective hospitality employees: Job anxiety, career intention and the moderating role of emotional intelligence. International Journal of Contemporary Hospitality Management, 37(10), 3344–3363. https://doi.org/10.1108/IJCHM-10-2024-1536
  20. Eminoğlu, A., Kuşlu, S., & Çakır, B. (2025). Evaluation of the correlation between nursing students' general attitudes toward artificial intelligence, literacy and anxiety levels: A descriptive and correlational study. Türkiye Klinikleri Hemşirelik Bilimleri Dergisi, 17(3), 798–809. https://doi.org/10.5336/nurses.2024-107691
  21. Erebak, S., & Turgut, T. (2021). Anxiety about the speed of technological development: Effects on job insecurity, time estimation, and automation level preference. Journal of High Technology Management Research, 32, Article 100419. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.hitech.2021.100419
  22. Farooqi, D., Pu, G., Paudel, S., Sultana, S., & Ahmed, S. I. (2026). Job anxiety in post-secondary computer science students caused by artificial intelligence. arXiv preprint arXiv:2601.10468. https://arxiv.org/abs/2601.10468
  23. Faul, F., Erdfelder, E., Buchner, A., & Lang, A. G. (2009). Statistical power analyses using G*Power 3.1: Tests for correlation and regression analyses. Behavior Research Methods, 41(4), 1149–1160. https://doi.org/10.3758/BRM.41.4.1149
  24. Fel, S., Kozak, J., & Horodyski, P. (2025). Responsibility and AI: Exploring technology acceptance models. Journal of Innovation and Knowledge, 10(6), Article 100852. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jik.2025.100852
  25. Freeston, M. H., Rhéaume, J., Letarte, H., Dugas, M. J., & Ladouceur, R. (1994). Why do people worry? Personality and Individual Differences, 17(6), 791–802. https://doi.org/10.1016/0191-8869(94)90048-5
  26. George, D., & Mallery, P. (2019). IBM SPSS Statistics 26 step by step: A simple guide and reference. New York, NY: Routledge.
  27. Geylani, M., & Çiriş Yıldız, C. (2022). Üniversite Öğrencilerinde Gelecek Kaygısı Ölçeği’nin geliştirilmesi: Geçerlik ve güvenirlik çalışması. İnönü Üniversitesi Sağlık Hizmetleri Meslek Yüksekokulu Dergisi, 10(1), 284-300. https://doi.org/10.33715/inonusaglik.1011330
  28. Gherheş, V. (2018). Why are we afraid of artificial intelligence (AI)? European Review of Applied Sociology, 11(17), 6-15. https://doi.org/10.1515/eras-2018-0006
  29. Gökkaya, D., & Erten, Ş. (2024). The effect of perceived future employability on future anxiety: A study on healthcare management students. Fırat Üniversitesi Sosyal Bilimler Dergisi, 34(2), 803-815. https://doi.org/10.18069/firatsbed.1443922
  30. Güneş, H., Okutan, Ş., Dolanbay, N., & Bostancı, M. E. (2025). Investigation of surgical nurses' anxiety and general attitudes toward artificial intelligence. Journal of Basic and Clinical Health Sciences, 9, 583-592. https://doi.org/10.30621/jbachs.1721430
  31. Hair, J. F., Black, W. C., Babin, B. J., & Anderson, R. E. (2019). Multivariate data analysis (8th ed.). Boston, MA: Cengage Learning.
  32. Hobfoll, S. E. (1989). Conservation of resources: A new attempt at conceptualizing stress. American Psychologist, 44(3), 513–524. https://doi.org/10.1037/0003-066X.44.3.513
  33. Ibrahim, F., Münscher, J. C., Daseking, M., & Telle, N. T. (2025). The technology acceptance model and adopter type analysis in the context of artificial intelligence. Frontiers in Artificial Intelligence, 7, Article 1496518. https://doi.org/10.3389/frai.2024.1496518
  34. Kang, E. Y. N., Chen, D. R., & Chen, Y. Y. (2023). Associations between literacy and attitudes toward artificial intelligence–assisted medical consultations: The mediating role of perceived distrust and efficiency of artificial intelligence. Computers in Human Behavior, 139, Article 107529. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.chb.2022.107529
  35. Kaya, F., Aydin, F., Schepman, A., Rodway, P., Yetişensoy, O., & Demir Kaya, M. (2024). The Roles of Personality Traits, AI Anxiety, and Demographic Factors in Attitudes toward Artificial Intelligence. International Journal of Human–Computer Interaction, 40(2), 497–514. https://doi.org/10.1080/10447318.2022.2151730
  36. Kitchens, M. B., & Meier, B. P. (2025). The fearful mind of artificial intelligence: Fear and perceived existential threat of artificial intelligence as a function of its cognitive and emotional capabilities. The Journal of Social Psychology, 1–14. https://doi.org/10.1080/00224545.2025.2503006
  37. Kim, S. W., & Lee, Y. (2024). Investigation into the influence of socio-cultural factors on attitudes toward artificial intelligence. Education and Information Technologies, 29, 9907–9935. https://doi.org/10.1007/s10639-023-12172-y
  38. Kline, R. B. (2016). Principles and practice of structural equation modeling (4th ed.). New York, NY: Guilford Publications.
  39. Köse, E. (2025). Research on the effect of artificial intelligence anxiety in accounting profession candidates on career decidedness. Fiscaoeconomia, 9(1), 568-582. https://doi.org/10.25295/fsecon.1556196
  40. Lazarus, R. S., & Folkman, S. (1984). Stress, appraisal, and coping. New York, NY: Springer Publishing Company. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-1-4419-1005-9_215
  41. Li, J., & Huang, J. (2020). Dimensions of artificial intelligence anxiety based on the integrated fear acquisition theory. Technology in Society, 63, 101410. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.techsoc.2020.101410
  42. Li, R., Ouyang, S., & Lin, J. (2025). Mediating effect of AI attitudes and AI literacy on the relationship between career self-efficacy and job-seeking anxiety. BMC Psychology, 13(1), Article 454. https://doi.org/10.1186/s40359-025-02757-2
  43. Liu, X., & Li, Y. (2025). Examining the double-edged sword effect of AI usage on work engagement: The moderating role of core task characteristics substitution. Behavioral Sciences, 15(2), Article 206. https://doi.org/10.3390/bs15020206
  44. Ma, J., Wang, P., Li, B., Wang, T., Pang, X. S., & Wang, D. (2025). Exploring user adoption of ChatGPT: A technology acceptance model perspective. International Journal of Human–Computer Interaction, 41(2), 1431–1445. https://doi.org/10.1080/10447318.2024.2314358
  45. Nikolenko, O., & Astapenko, E. (2023). The attitude of young people to the use of artificial intelligence. E3S Web of Conferences, 460, Article 05013. https://doi.org/10.1051/e3sconf/202346005013
  46. Obenza, B. N., Baguio, J. S. I. E., Bardago, K. M. W., Granado, L. B., Loreco, K. C. A., Matugas, L. P.,. Caangay, R. B. R. (2023). The mediating effect of AI trust on AI self-efficacy and attitude toward AI of college students. International Journal of Metaverse, 2(1), 1-10. https://doi.org/10.54536/ijm.v2i1.2286
  47. Pallant, J. (2020). SPSS survival manual: A step by step guide to data analysis using IBM SPSS. London, UK: Routledge. https://doi.org/10.4324/9781003117452
  48. Park, J., & Woo, S. E. (2022). Who likes artificial intelligence? Personality predictors of attitudes toward artificial intelligence. The Journal of Psychology, 156(1), 68–94. https://doi.org/10.1080/00223980.2021.2012109
  49. Pinto Dos Santos, D., Giese, D., Brodehl, S., Chon, S. H., Staab, W., Kleinert, R.,. Baeßler, B. (2019). Medical students' attitude towards artificial intelligence: A multicentre survey. European Radiology, 29(4), 1640–1646. https://doi.org/10.1007/s00330-018-5601-1
  50. Podsakoff, P. M., MacKenzie, S. B., Lee, J. Y., & Podsakoff, N. P. (2003). Common method biases in behavioral research: A critical review of the literature and recommended remedies. Journal of Applied Psychology, 88(5), 879–903. https://doi.org/10.1037/0021-9010.88.5.879
  51. Russo, C., Romano, L., Clemente, D., Iacovone, L., Gladwin, T. E., & Panno, A. (2025). Gender differences in artificial intelligence: The role of artificial intelligence anxiety. Frontiers in Psychology, 16, Article 1559457. https://doi.org/10.3389/fpsyg.2025.1559457
  52. Sallam, M. (2023). ChatGPT utility in healthcare education, research, and practice: Systematic review on the promising perspectives and valid concerns. Healthcare, 11(6), Article 887. https://doi.org/10.3390/healthcare11060887
  53. Sarman, A., & Tuncay, S. (2024). Attitudes and anxiety levels of nursing students toward artificial intelligence. Teaching and Learning in Nursing, 20(2), e431–e438. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.teln.2024.12.006
  54. Sun, Y., Ni, L., Zhao, Y., Shen, X. J., & Wang, N. (2022). The association between digitalization and mental health: The mediating role of wellbeing at work. Frontiers in Psychiatry, 13, Article 934357. https://doi.org/10.3389/fpsyt.2022.934357
  55. Tabachnick, B. G., & Fidell, L. S. (2013). Using multivariate statistics (6th ed.). Boston, MA: Pearson.
  56. Tarafdar, M., Cooper, C. L., & Stich, J. F. (2019). The technostress trifecta—Techno eustress, techno distress and design: Theoretical directions and an agenda for research. Information Systems Journal, 29(1), 6–42. https://doi.org/10.1111/isj.12169
  57. Tiring, O. (2025). AI use among higher education students in 2025: SSCI psychology studies. International Journal of Social and Economic Sciences, 15(1), 1–11.
  58. Tarsuslu, S., Agaoglu, F. O., & Bas, M. (2025). Can digital leadership transform AI anxiety and attitude in nurses?. Journal of nursing scholarship: an official publication of Sigma Theta Tau International Honor Society of Nursing, 57(1), 28–38. https://doi.org/10.1111/jnu.13008
  59. Tuncer, G. Z., & Tuncer, M. (2024). Investigation of nurses’ general attitudes toward artificial intelligence and their perceptions of ChatGPT usage and influencing factors. Digital Health, 10, 1–11. https://doi.org/10.1177/20552076241277025
  60. Turgut, D., & Kunuroglu, F. (2025). Adaptation of the student attitudes toward artificial intelligence scale (SATAI) to the Turkish context: A sample of emerging adults. International Journal of Human-Computer Interaction. Advance online publication. https://doi.org/10.1080/10447318.2025.2474474
  61. Üstün, A. G., & Danacıoğlu, N. (2026). The role of artificial intelligence anxiety and attitudes toward artificial intelligence in university students’ job finding anxiety. Participatory Educational Research, 13(2), 143-164. https://doi.org/10.17275/per.26.23.13.2
  62. Wang, G., Obrenovic, B., Gu, X., & Godinic, D. (2025). Fear of the new technology: Investigating the factors that influence individual attitudes toward generative artificial intelligence (AI). Current Psychology, 44(9), 8050–8067. https://doi.org/10.1007/s12144-025-07357-2 (a)
  63. Wang, Y., Pan, Z., & Kırmızı, Ö. (2025). Embrace technology, escape job anxiety? Profiling technology acceptance and its relationships with job anxiety among English majors. Porta Linguarum. An International Journal of Foreign Language Teaching and Learning, (XIII), 111–130. https://doi.org/10.30827/portalin.viXIII.33160 (b)
  64. Wang, Y. -Y., & Wang, Y. -S. (2022). Development and validation of an artificial intelligence anxiety scale: An initial application in predicting motivated learning behavior. Interactive Learning Environments, 30(4), 619–634. https://doi.org/10.1080/10494820.2019.1674887
  65. Wei, Q., Pan, S., Liu, X., Hong, M., Nong, C., & Zhang, W. (2025). The integration of AI in nursing: Addressing current applications, challenges, and future directions. Frontiers in Medicine, 12, Article 1545420. https://doi.org/10.3389/fmed.2025.1545420
  66. Wu, X., & Li, H. (2025). A systematic review of AI anxiety in education. AI and Ethics, 5, 4773 - 4787. https://doi.org/10.1108/AEDS-02-2025-0088
  67. Yigitcanlar, T., Degirmenci, K., & Inkinen, T. (2022). Drivers behind the public perception of artificial intelligence: Insights from major Australian cities. AI & Society, 1–21. Advance online publication. https://doi.org/10.1007/s00146-022-01566-0
  68. Zaleski, Z. (1996). Future anxiety: Concept, measurement, and preliminary research. Personality and Individual Differences, 21(2), 165–174. https://doi.org/10.1016/0191-8869(96)00070-0
  69. Obenza, B. N., Baguio, J. S. I. E., Bardago, K. M. W., Granado, L. B., Loreco, K. C. A., Matugas, L. P.,. Caangay, R. B. R. (2023). The mediating effect of AI trust on AI self-efficacy and attitude toward AI of college students. International Journal of Metaverse, 2(1), 1-10. https://doi.org/10.54536/ijm.v2i1.2286
  70. Pinto Dos Santos, D., Giese, D., Brodehl, S., Chon, S. H., Staab, W., Kleinert, R.,. Baeßler, B. (2019). Medical students' attitude towards artificial intelligence: A multicentre survey. European Radiology, 29(4), 1640–1646. https://doi.org/10.1007/s00330-018-5601-1
  71. Tarsuslu, S., Agaoglu, F. O., & Bas, M. (2025). Can digital leadership transform AI anxiety and attitude in nurses?. Journal of nursing scholarship: an official publication of Sigma Theta Tau International Honor Society of Nursing, 57(1), 28–38. https://doi.org/10.1111/jnu.13008