Journalism and Mass Communication Students Attitudes toward Using of AI: Challenges and Opportunities (Case of Georgia)

Abstract

The rapid integration of Artificial Intelligence (AI) into modern newsrooms presents both structural challenges and transformative possibilities for media education. Grounded in the Technology Acceptance Model (TAM), this study which was conducted at the beginning of 2025, explores early reactions towards using of AI, empirically investigates how Georgian journalism students perceive, evaluate, and adopt AI tools within their academic and professional workflows. Based on a stratified sample of N=318 students across major Georgian universities (78.5% completion rate), inferential statistics ( -tests and path analysis) were conducted to test hypotheses regarding gender, degree level, and prior technical training. The findings demonstrate high overall technology acceptance, driven primarily by prior AI training ( ) and graduate-level studies ( ). Gender differences yielded no statistically significant variation in perceived ease of use. These results revial a crucial gap between student enthusiasm and institutional preparation, offering an empirical foundation for modernizing journalism curricula in transitional media environments.