Artificial intelligence awareness and employment expectations among university students: Evidence from Turkey

BackgroundThe rapid advancement of artificial intelligence (AI) technologies generates concerns about potential job losses in certain occupational groups. In this context, developing effective policy tools in higher education and skill transformation has become essential to ensure that university graduates can adapt to technological change.ObjectiveWhile the literature mainly focuses on the effects of AI and robotics on employment, limited research examines university students' awareness of AI and its relationship with future employment expectations. Therefore, this study investigates AI awareness among university students in Erzurum, Türkiye, and its association with their employment expectations.MethodsA survey including questions on demographic characteristics, perceived employability, and AI awareness was conducted with 500 students from different departments. The relationship between AI awareness and employment expectations was analyzed using exploratory factor analysis, confirmatory factor analysis, and Hierarchical Multiple Regression.ResultsThe research findings showed that all sub-dimensions of AI awareness had positive and significant effects on perceived employability. The skills sub-dimension had the strongest effect (β=0.447), followed by the cognitive sub-dimension (β=0.360), and the ethics sub-dimension showed a relatively more limited positive and significant contribution (β=0.142). Based on these findings, it is concluded that individuals' awareness of AI may strengthen their perceived employability through cognitive, skills, and ethical components, thus supporting the relevant hypotheses of the study.ConclusionsThe results emphasize the importance of increasing university students' awareness and competence in AI. Based on these findings, several policy recommendations are proposed to strengthen AI-related knowledge and skills among students.