Exploring the Drivers of AI Design Tool Adoption Among Chinese University Students: A UTAUT-SOR Integrative Analysis

With the rapid development of science and technology, Artificial Intelligence Design Tools (AIDT) have gradually become essential auxiliary tools in the design field, especially gaining widespread application among Chinese university students. To better understand the key factors influencing users' continuous use of AIDT, this study first employed a questionnaire survey to collect data on users' experiences and preferences, ensuring the reliability and validity of the data. Subsequently, Partial Least Squares Structural Equation Modeling (PLS-SEM) was used to analyze the complex relationships among multiple constructs. The results indicate that social influence (SI), compatibility (COM), and personal innovativeness (PI) significantly and positively affect users' intention to continue using AIDT. Moreover, personal innovativeness moderates performance expectancy (PE) and the intention to continue usage. This study provides practical insights and theoretical support for promoting the application of AIDT in education and creative design fields.