Technology Readiness for Generative AI Among Academic Researchers

The use of Generative Artificial Intelligence tools in academic research has recently created a debate in the higher education sector. This study explores researchers' awareness, concerns, and usage of generative AI tools in the academic research process. In addition, the study investigates the current level of readiness among researchers to adopt these tools using the Technology Readiness Index 2.0. Results indicate a high familiarity among respondents with the applications of Generative AI tools in academic research. However, only about half of the participants (51.54^%) stated that they are currently adopting these tools mainly for academic writing assistance and language support. In addition, researchers expressed significant concerns about the accuracy of the information, ethical considerations, the authenticity of work, and data privacy and security, with (58.96^%) indicating that these concerns may influence their future decisions to adopt or continue adopting these tools. The findings also indicate that the overall readiness level is moderate but reflects a degree of discomfort and insecurity which can inhibit researchers' readiness for adoption. Furthermore, senior researchers tend to feel more insecure than other researcher groups, and AI literacy skills were shown to impact the innovativeness sub-scale.