Revisiting TAM Under Institutional Diversity: Student Acceptance of AI-Based Learning Across Two Southeast Asian Contexts
Country:
(1) Faculty of Islamic Studies, Universitas Wahid Hasyim, Indonesia
(2) Faculty of Education, University Kebangsaan Malaysia, Malaysia
(3) Faculty of Economics and Business, State University of Malang, Indonesia
(4) Faculty of Tarbiyah and Education, Sunan Kalijaga State Islamic University, Indonesia
This study aimed to evaluate the measurement and structural models of the Technology Acceptance Model in the context of AI-based learning and to examine whether the hypothesized relationships vary across two university settings with different institutional characteristics. A quantitative survey design was employed involving students from two universities, namely Universiti Kebangsaan Malaysia (UKM) and Universitas Wahid Hasyim (Unwahas). Data were collected through a structured questionnaire covering the core constructs of the Technology Acceptance Model, including perceived ease of use, perceived usefulness, attitude toward use, behavioral intention to use, and actual system use. The data were analyzed using structural equation modeling and multi-group analysis. The analysis was conducted in two stages: first, the evaluation of the measurement model for reliability and validity; then, the assessment of structural relationships and cross-group variation. The measurement model demonstrated acceptable reliability and validity, indicating that the instrument was adequate for subsequent structural testing. In the overall structural model, all five hypothesized relationships were statistically significant, supporting the core sequence proposed by the Technology Acceptance Model. Perceived ease of use positively influenced perceived usefulness and attitude toward use; perceived usefulness positively influenced attitude toward use; attitude toward use positively influenced behavioral intention to use; and behavioral intention to use positively influenced actual system use. Multi-group analysis further revealed that the relationship between perceived ease of use and perceived usefulness was stable across both institutional groups. However, the pathways related to attitude formation and the translation of behavioral intention into actual use showed greater contextual variation. The findings confirm that the Technology Acceptance Model remains a relevant framework for explaining students’ adoption of AI-based learning technologies. At the same time, the results indicate that the strength of several acceptance pathways is partly shaped by institutional context. Therefore, AI implementation in higher education should be approached with sensitivity to differences in learning environments and institutional conditions.
Keywords: artificial intelligence in education, technology acceptance model, measurement invariance, multi-group SEM, higher education.
Almahri, F. A. J., Bell, D., & Merhi, M. (2020). Understanding student acceptance and use of chatbots in the united kingdom universities: a structural equation modeling approach. 2020 6th IEEE International Conference on Information Management, ICIM 2020, 284–288. https://doi.org/10.1109/ICIM49319.2020.244712
Anita, A., Mulawarman, W. G., & Susilo, S. (2025). Cognitive leap or digital divide? a comparative study on ai-driven learning and student analytical capacity in samarinda and aceh. Jurnal Pendidikan Progresif, 15(3), 1811–1828. https://doi.org/10.23960/jpp.v15i3.pp1811-1828
Barragán Moreno, S. P., & Guzmán Rincón, A. (2025). Digital divide as an explanatory variable for dropout in higher education. International Journal of Educational Technology in Higher Education, 22(1). https://doi.org/10.1186/s41239-025-00550-0
Chen, X., Xie, H., Zou, D., & Hwang, G. J. (2020). Application and theory gaps during the rise of Artificial Intelligence in Education. In Computers and Education: Artificial Intelligence (Vol. 1). Elsevier B.V. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.caeai.2020.100002
Chen, X., Zou, D., Xie, H., Cheng, G., & Liu, C. (2022). Two decades of artificial intelligence in education: contributors, collaborations, research topics, challenges, and future directions. In Educational Technology & Society (Vol. 25, Number 1).
Cheng, M., & Lu, Z. (2025). Acceptance of Generative AI Tools: An Extended UTAUT and SEM-ANN Hybrid model approach with chinese university students. Proceedings of 2025 2nd International Conference on Digital Systems and Design Innovation, ICDSDI 2025, 138–149. https://doi.org/10.1145/3759275.3759296
Crompton, H., & Burke, D. (2023). Artificial intelligence in higher education: the state of the field. International Journal of Educational Technology in Higher Education, 20(1). https://doi.org/10.1186/s41239-023-00392-8
Davis, F. D. (1989). Perceived usefulness, perceived ease of use, and user acceptance of information technology. MIS Quarterly, 13(3), 319–340. https://doi.org/https://doi.org/10.2307/249008
Descamps, S., Temperman, G., & De Lièvre, B. (2025). Effects of two scenario approaches for digital sobriety education among higher education students. International Journal of Educational Technology in Higher Education, 22(1). https://doi.org/10.1186/s41239-025-00569-3
Fahmy, Y. (2024). Student Perception on AI-Driven Assessment: Motivation, Engagement and Feedback Capabilities.
Fernández-Ferrer, M., Lanzo, N. C., Maina, M. F., & Guàrdia, L. (2025). How does peer assessment support students’ self-regulation? A case study in online education. International Journal of Educational Technology in Higher Education, 22(1). https://doi.org/10.1186/s41239-025-00565-7
Fitria, T. N. (2021). Artificial Intelligence (AI) in Education: Using AI Tools For Teaching And Learning Process. Proceeding Seminar Nasional & Call For Papers. https://www.blackboard.com/teaching-learning/learning-
Gherhes, V., & Obrad, C. (2018). Technical and humanities students’ perspectives on the development and sustainability of artificial intelligence (AI). Sustainability (Switzerland), 10(9). https://doi.org/10.3390/su10093066
Habibi, A., Muhaimin, M., Danibao, B. K., Wibowo, Y. G., Wahyuni, S., & Octavia, A. (2023). ChatGPT in higher education learning: Acceptance and use. Computers and Education: Artificial Intelligence, 5. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.caeai.2023.100190
Hu, W., & Chan, C. K. Y. (2025). From user needs to AI solutions: a human-centered design approach for AI-powered virtual teamwork competency training. International Journal of Educational Technology in Higher Education, 22(1). https://doi.org/10.1186/s41239-025-00551-z
Khotimah, S. (2026). Faktor-Faktor yang mempengaruhi niat penggunaan teknologi berbasis ai dalam pembelajaran pada mahasiswa program studi pendidikan administrasi perkantoran universitas sebelas maret surakarta [factors influencing the intention to use ai-based technology in learning among students of the office administration education study program, sebelas maret university, surakarta]. Jurnal Pengabdian Masyarakat Dan Riset Pendidikan, 4(3), 17752–17761. https://doi.org/10.31004/jerkin.v4i3.4795
Kotlyar, I., & Krasman, J. (2025). Student reactions to AI versus human feedback in teamwork skills assessment. International Journal of Educational Technology in Higher Education, 22(1). https://doi.org/10.1186/s41239-025-00555-9
Lai, C. Y., Cheung, K. Y., & Chan, C. S. (2023). Exploring the role of intrinsic motivation in ChatGPT adoption to support active learning: An extension of the technology acceptance model. Computers and Education: Artificial Intelligence, 5. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.caeai.2023.100178
Mustofa, R. H., Kuncoro, T. G., Atmono, D., Hermawan, H. D., & Sukirman. (2025). Extending the technology acceptance model: The role of subjective norms, ethics, and trust in AI tool adoption among students. Computers and Education: Artificial Intelligence, 8. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.caeai.2025.100379
Ocaña-Fernández, Y., Valenzuela-Fernández, L. A., & Garro-Aburto, L. L. (2019). Artificial intelligence and its implications in higher education. Propósitos y Representaciones, 7(2). https://doi.org/10.20511/pyr2019.v7n2.274
Ouyang, F., & Jiao, P. (2021). Artificial intelligence in education: The three paradigms. Computers and Education: Artificial Intelligence, 2. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.caeai.2021.100020
Pardamean, B., Suparyanto, T., Cenggoro, T. W., Sudigyo, D., & Anugrahana, A. (2022). AI-Based learning style prediction in online learning for primary education. IEEE Access, 10, 35725–35735. https://doi.org/10.1109/ACCESS.2022.3160177
Popenici, S. A. D., & Kerr, S. (2017). Exploring the impact of artificial intelligence on teaching and learning in higher education. Research and Practice in Technology Enhanced Learning, 12(1). https://doi.org/10.1186/s41039-017-0062-8
Putnick, D. L., & Bornstein, M. H. (2016). Measurement invariance conventions and reporting: The state of the art and future directions for psychological research. In Developmental Review (Vol. 41, pp. 71–90). Mosby Inc. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.dr.2016.06.004
Qiu, Y., Pan, J., & Ishak, N. A. (2022). Effectiveness of artificial intelligence (AI) in improving pupils’ deep learning in primary school mathematics teaching in fujian province. Computational Intelligence and Neuroscience, 2023(1). https://doi.org/10.1155/2022/1362996
Rahayu, F. S., Budiyanto, D., & Palyama, D. (2017). Analisis penerimaan e-learning menggunakan technology acceptance model (TAM) (studi kasus: universitas atma jaya yogyakarta) [analysis of e-learning acceptance using the technology acceptance model (TAM) (Case Study: Atma Jaya University Yogyakarta)]. Jurnal terapan teknologi informasi, 1(2), 87–98. https://doi.org/10.21460/jutei.2017.12.20
rahmawati, a., novita, d., & pradesan, i. (2022, january). perancangan kuesioner analisis penerimaan e-tax menggunakan technology acceptance model (TAM) [Design of E-tax acceptance analysis questionnaire using technology acceptance model (TAM)]. In MDP Student Conference (Vol. 1, No. 1, pp. 512–517).
Rienties, B., Domingue, J., Duttaroy, S., Herodotou, C., Tessarolo, F., & Whitelock, D. (2024). What distance learning students want from an AI Digital Assistant. Distance Education. https://doi.org/10.1080/01587919.2024.2338717
Rienties, B., Tessarolo, F., Domingue, J., & Whitelock, D. (2025). A design-based research approach to what distance learners expect and value from an institutional ai digital assistant. European Journal of Open, Distance and E-Learning, 27(2), 1–11.
Roe, J., Perkins, M., Somoray, K., Miller, D., & Furze, L. (2025). Can synthetic avatars replace lecturers? An exploratory international study of higher education stakeholder perceptions. International Journal of Educational Technology in Higher Education, 22(1), 71. https://doi.org/10.1186/s41239-025-00568-4
Saflor, C. S. R. (2025). Modeling student acceptance of AI technologies in higher education: a hybrid SEM–ANN approach. Future Internet, 17(12). https://doi.org/10.3390/fi17120581
Saihi, A., Ben-Daya, M., Hariga, M., & As’ad, R. (2024). A Structural equation modeling analysis of generative AI chatbots adoption among students and educators in higher education. Computers and Education: Artificial Intelligence, 7. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.caeai.2024.100274
Salmi, J., Setiyanti, A. A., Satya Wacana, K., Universitas, D., Satya, K., & Abstract, W. (2023a). Persepsi mahasiswa terhadap penggunaan ChatGPT di era pendidikan 4.0 [student perceptions of ChatGPT use in the era of education 4.0]. Jurnal Ilmiah Wahana Pendidikan, Oktober, 9(19), 399–406. https://doi.org/10.5281/zenodo.8403233
Salmi, J., Setiyanti, A. A., Satya Wacana, K., Universitas, D., Satya, K., & Abstract, W. (2023b). Persepsi mahasiswa terhadap penggunaan chatgpt di era pendidikan 4.0 [Student perceptions of chatgpt use in the era of education 4.0]. Jurnal Ilmiah Wahana Pendidikan, 9(19), 399–406. https://doi.org/10.5281/zenodo.8403233
Sri Sugiarto, I Gusti Made Sulindra, & Adnan. (2024). Pemanfaatan teknologi artificial intelligence dalam efektifitas pembelajaran mahasiswa universitas samawa [utilization of artificial intelligence technology in the effectiveness of student learning at samawa university]. Jurnal Kependidikan, 7(9(1)), 19–27. http://e-journallppmunsa.ac.id/index.php/kependidikan/article/view/1676
Venkatesh, V., & Davis, F. D. (2000). A theoretical extension of the Technology Acceptance Model: Four longitudinal field studies. Management Science, 46(2), 186–204. https://doi.org/https://doi.org/10.1287/mnsc.46.2.186.11926
Venkatesh, V., Smith, R. H., Morris, M. G., Davis, G. B., Davis, F. D., & Walton, S. M. (2003). User acceptance of information technology: Toward a unified view. MIS Quarterly, 23(2), 425–478. https://doi.org/https://doi.org/10.2307/30036540
Zawacki-Richter, O., Marín, V. I., Bond, M., & Gouverneur, F. (2019). Systematic review of research on artificial intelligence applications in higher education – where are the educators? In International Journal of Educational Technology in Higher Education (Vol. 16, Number 1). Springer Netherlands. https://doi.org/10.1186/s41239-019-0171-0
Zhang, Z. (2024). Research on the impact of artificial intelligence on college students’ learning (Vol. 12, Number 3).
Refbacks
- There are currently no refbacks.

This work is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution-ShareAlike 4.0 International License.
View My Stats

