Barriers to Generative AI Adoption Among Community College Students: Understanding Hesitancy and Resistance

• In Event: Adoption and Resistance: Understanding the Human Factors of AI Integration

Abstract

This study explores why community college students hesitate to adopt Generative AI, focusing on the different types of concerns that shape their attitudes. Using survey data from 312 students in China, we identify three distinct groups—Receptive Potentials, Conditional Acceptors, and AI Skeptics—based on their perceptions of ethical risks, cognitive impact, and data security. Through cluster and principal component analyses, we show that resistance to GenAI is not just about lack of familiarity, but reflects deeper beliefs and values. Our findings highlight the need for AI education strategies that go beyond technical training to address students’ underlying concerns and support informed, confident engagement with AI tools.

Author

• Jie Lin, Shanghai Jiao Tong University