The role of personality traits in predicting educational use of generative AI in higher education

Abstract Generative Artificial Intelligence (Gen-AI) systems offer significant opportunities for personalized learning in higher education. Studying the effects of personality traits on the use of Gen-AI is crucial for understanding the role of individual differences in integrating this innovative t...

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Main Authors: Ibrahim Arpaci, Ismail Kuşci, Omer Gibreel
Format: Article
Language:English
Published: Nature Portfolio 2025-08-01
Series:Scientific Reports
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Online Access:https://doi.org/10.1038/s41598-025-16339-0
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author Ibrahim Arpaci
Ismail Kuşci
Omer Gibreel
author_facet Ibrahim Arpaci
Ismail Kuşci
Omer Gibreel
author_sort Ibrahim Arpaci
collection DOAJ
description Abstract Generative Artificial Intelligence (Gen-AI) systems offer significant opportunities for personalized learning in higher education. Studying the effects of personality traits on the use of Gen-AI is crucial for understanding the role of individual differences in integrating this innovative technology into education. Therefore, this study investigated how the Big Five personality traits, age, and gender predict the educational use of Gen-AI in higher education. In this study, data were obtained from 1016 university students through an online survey. The data obtained using the Five Factor Personality and educational use scales were analyzed using linear regression. Artificial neural networks (ANNs) were employed to investigate more complex and non-linear relationships. Additionally, multiple linear regression and multigroup analysis were employed to investigate age and gender differences. Significant and positive relationships were found between openness to experience, conscientiousness, extraversion, and the educational use of Gen-AI. However, neuroticism showed a negative association, while agreeableness did not demonstrate a significant association. The ANN model showed that openness was the strongest predictor. The results indicated that the effect of certain personality traits on Gen-AI use differed significantly between men and women. These findings significantly advance our understanding of the relationship between personality traits and the use of Gen-AI in higher education.
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spelling doaj-art-a09d9eb8bd684cc9b1a5c6591f9cf3122025-08-24T11:23:34ZengNature PortfolioScientific Reports2045-23222025-08-0115111310.1038/s41598-025-16339-0The role of personality traits in predicting educational use of generative AI in higher educationIbrahim Arpaci0Ismail Kuşci1Omer Gibreel2Department of Mathematics, Saveetha School of Engineering, SIMATS, Saveetha UniversityDepartment of Guidance and Counseling, Faculty of Education, Bursa Uludag UniversityAccounting and MIS Department, College of Business Administration, Gulf University for Science and TechnologyAbstract Generative Artificial Intelligence (Gen-AI) systems offer significant opportunities for personalized learning in higher education. Studying the effects of personality traits on the use of Gen-AI is crucial for understanding the role of individual differences in integrating this innovative technology into education. Therefore, this study investigated how the Big Five personality traits, age, and gender predict the educational use of Gen-AI in higher education. In this study, data were obtained from 1016 university students through an online survey. The data obtained using the Five Factor Personality and educational use scales were analyzed using linear regression. Artificial neural networks (ANNs) were employed to investigate more complex and non-linear relationships. Additionally, multiple linear regression and multigroup analysis were employed to investigate age and gender differences. Significant and positive relationships were found between openness to experience, conscientiousness, extraversion, and the educational use of Gen-AI. However, neuroticism showed a negative association, while agreeableness did not demonstrate a significant association. The ANN model showed that openness was the strongest predictor. The results indicated that the effect of certain personality traits on Gen-AI use differed significantly between men and women. These findings significantly advance our understanding of the relationship between personality traits and the use of Gen-AI in higher education.https://doi.org/10.1038/s41598-025-16339-0Artificial intelligenceBig fiveGenerative AIPersonality traits
spellingShingle Ibrahim Arpaci
Ismail Kuşci
Omer Gibreel
The role of personality traits in predicting educational use of generative AI in higher education
Scientific Reports
Artificial intelligence
Big five
Generative AI
Personality traits
title The role of personality traits in predicting educational use of generative AI in higher education
title_full The role of personality traits in predicting educational use of generative AI in higher education
title_fullStr The role of personality traits in predicting educational use of generative AI in higher education
title_full_unstemmed The role of personality traits in predicting educational use of generative AI in higher education
title_short The role of personality traits in predicting educational use of generative AI in higher education
title_sort role of personality traits in predicting educational use of generative ai in higher education
topic Artificial intelligence
Big five
Generative AI
Personality traits
url https://doi.org/10.1038/s41598-025-16339-0
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