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Trial Title Gender Gaps in Generative AI Adoption: Do Misperceptions about Others Matter? Gaps in Generative AI Adoption: Do Misperceptions about Others Matter?
Abstract This study examines whether misperceptions about others’ use of and attitudes toward generative artificial intelligence (AI) tools influence students’ own adoption—and whether these belief gaps differ by gender and other demographics. Prior research shows that women tend to use generative AI tools less than men, but the underlying causes of this gap remain unclear. One possible factor is that certain subgroups of students may underestimate how widely generative AI is used or valued by peers and employers. We conduct a two-stage online study with university students in Australia. The first stage survey measures actual generative AI use, personal attitudes, and perceptions about others, as well as collecting demographic data. The second stage tests impact of potential inaccurate beliefs and potential information treatment effects, which will be based on the first stage data. This study examines whether misperceptions about others’ use of and attitudes toward generative artificial intelligence (AI) tools influence students’ own adoption—and whether these belief gaps differ by gender and other demographics. Research indicates that there is lower generative AI adoption among vulnerable populations in developed countries. Prior research also shows that women tend to use generative AI tools less than men, but the underlying causes of this gap remain unclear. One possible factor is that certain subgroups may underestimate how widely generative AI is used or valued by peers and employers. We conduct a two-stage online study with university students in Australia. The first stage survey measures actual generative AI use, personal attitudes, and perceptions about others, as well as collecting demographic data. The second stage tests impact of potential inaccurate beliefs and potential information treatment effects, which will be based on the first stage data.
Trial Start Date August 01, 2025 August 18, 2025
Last Published August 01, 2025 10:05 AM August 16, 2025 06:03 PM
Intervention Start Date August 01, 2025 September 04, 2025
Primary Outcomes (End Points) Measures of generative AI use: binary adoption indicator, weekly usage frequency, daily usage time Second-order beliefs: perceived peer usage, perceived attitudes of employers Measures of generative AI use: binary adoption indicator, weekly usage frequency, daily usage time Second-order beliefs: perceived peer usage and attitudes, perceived attitudes of employers
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