Factors Influencing AI Ethical Awareness: Digital Literacy and Critical Thinking Disposition among Nursing Students

Abstract

This study aimed to investigate the levels of digital literacy, critical thinking disposition, and AI ethical awareness among nursing students and to identify the relationships and influencing factors among these variables. This descriptive correlational study was conducted with 180 nursing students from universities located in D metropolitan city and C province. Data were collected using a structured self-report questionnaire assessing general characteristics, digital literacy, critical thinking disposition, and AI ethical awareness. The mean scores were 4.12 for digital literacy, 3.75 for critical thinking disposition, and 3.61 for AI ethical awareness. Students with AI-related educational experience showed higher levels of critical thinking disposition. Critical thinking disposition showed the strongest positive correlation with AI ethical awareness(r=.648, p<.001). Multiple regression analysis revealed that critical thinking disposition(β=.554, p<.001) was the strongest predictor of AI ethical awareness, and the explanatory power of the model was 46.6%. These findings suggest that integrated educational strategies to strengthen digital literacy and critical thinking are necessary to improve AI ethical awareness among nursing students. Nursing education should provide opportunities for reflective and ethical decision-making regarding AI in clinical practice.