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

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.