Understanding the Adoption of Artificial Intelligence in Journalism: An Empirical Study in Vietnam

Abstract

This study examines the factors influencing Vietnamese journalists’ adoption of Artificial Intelligence in journalism. Drawing on the Unified Theory of Acceptance and Use of Technology (UTAUT) framework, it hypothesizes that performance expectancy, effort expectancy, social influence, facilitating conditions, behavioral intention, trust, regulatory support, and technology affinity and incorporating additional trust, regulatory support, and technology affinity have significant impacts on journalists’ adoption of technology. Questionnaires were administered to 238 journalists in the context of the Vietnamese press. The findings showed the significant impact of performance expectancy, effort expectancy, social influence, facilitating conditions, behavioral intention, trust, regulatory support, and technology affinity on journalists’ adoption of AI in journalism. These results expand the UTAUT framework and offer a more comprehensive understanding of technology adoption in journalism. Practically, the study provides valuable insights for practitioners and policymakers in the journalism industry. Understanding the determinants of journalists’ adoption can inform the development of targeted interventions, training programs, and regulatory frameworks to facilitate the integration of AI technologies into journalistic practices. However, the study has limitations, and future research should replicate the findings in diverse cultural and organizational contexts while considering additional moderating factors.