Published Paper Details:

The purpose of this study was to examine how higher education institution (HEI) administrators use and make decisions about using artificial intelligence (AI) in their work, specifically within academic administrations across HEIs located within the Pune Metropolitan Region of Maharashtra. Both TAM and UTAUT were used as theoretical models for this research; a quantitative methodology was also employed. Results from PLS-SEM confirm strong path coefficients for the constructs of effort expectancy, performance expectancy, and social influence on administrator's intentions to adopt AI. Administrators' concern regarding data privacy and the lack of transparency related to algorithms that will drive institutional adoption were found to be statistically significant moderating factors. They significantly restricted the extent to which institutions adopted AI, regardless of whether or not they believed in its potential utility. The current study provides original empirical evidence concerning one of the fastest growing educational metropolitan zones in western India. As this region contains over 800 higher education institutions, many of whom are faced with the strategic imperative of embracing digital transformation, these findings have important implications for Human Resource Practitioners, Academic Policymakers, Institutional Leaders, and Regulatory Bodies charged with creating guidelines for integrating technology within Indian Higher Education. Future research directions include longitudinal studies of the same population over time; cross-sectional studies comparing multiple cities; and qualitative investigations examining the level of readiness of each institution to implement new technologies.