Unlocking the Future: Factors Driving Cognitive Readiness to Adopt AI among Postgraduate Diploma in Education Students

Abstract

Along with the booming development of the digital world and technology, the educational landscape around the world is undergoing an aggressive transformation. To meet current needs, the trend of using artificial intelligence (AI) is being actively promoted in Malaysia, including Sabah. Therefore, a cross-sectional quantitative study was conducted to assess the AI readiness among of 115 postgraduate Diploma in Education students from Universiti Malaysia Sabah. Respondent was selected through a simple random sampling technique. Descriptive analysis and Partial Least Squares Structural Equation Modelling (PLS-SEM) were used to analyse survey response. The results indicated that AI TPACK anda motivation has positive effects on cognitive readiness to use AI. Further findings revealed that gender moderates the relationship between AI TPACK and cognitive readiness, where this relationship is strengthened among male teachers. By identifying key drivers of readiness to use AI, the study informs academic policymakers anda pedagogical practices in understanding the most effective strategies for enhance prospective teacher cognitive readiness to accept and adapt AI in real classroom.