ATTITUDES TOWARD ARTIFICIAL INTELLIGENCE AMONG B.ED. STUDENT-TEACHERS IN MANIPUR: A COMPARATIVE ANALYSIS ACROSS DEMOGRAPHIC VARIABLES

Abstract

This study examines attitudes toward artificial intelligence (AI) among 320 B.Ed. student-teachers in Manipur, India, focusing on demographic variations in age, gender, locality, and subject stream. Using a cross-sectional survey design and the Artificial Intelligence Attitude Scale (Aktay et al., 2024), the research revealed significant differences in AI attitudes. Younger student-teachers (<30 years) exhibited more positive attitudes than older peers (M = 58.69 vs. 52.50; d = 1.423, p < .001), while urban participants scored higher than rural counterparts (M = 59.10 vs. 53.19; d = 1.336, p < .001). Science-stream students showed greater AI acceptance than arts students (M = 59.36 vs. 53.91; d = 1.218, p < .001). No significant gender difference emerged (p = .627). The findings highlight the influence of generational, geographical, and disciplinary factors on AI perceptions, suggesting the need for targeted teacher training programs, rural digital infrastructure development, and interdisciplinary AI literacy initiatives in Manipur’s teacher education curriculum.