Psychological factors influencing the acceptance of artificial intelligence technologies among civil servants in Kazakhstan

M. Abdykalikova; T. Kaldybayev; A. Bolatov; N. Bozymbayeva

doi:10.26577/JPsS20269831

Authors

M. Abdykalikova L. N. Gumilyov Eurasian National University https://orcid.org/0000-0003-4032-6956
T. Kaldybayev Almaty Management University https://orcid.org/0009-0006-1178-114X
A. Bolatov L. N. Gumilyov Eurasian National University , Shenzhen University https://orcid.org/0000-0002-5390-4623
N. Bozymbayeva Maqsut Narikbayev University , L. N. Gumilyov Eurasian National University https://orcid.org/0009-0005-1194-3797

DOI:

https://doi.org/10.26577/JPsS20269831

Abstract

Artificial intelligence (AI) technologies are increasingly being introduced into the public sector; however, the effectiveness of their implementation largely depends on civil servants’ readiness to use digital solutions. Despite growing interest in this field, empirical evidence on the psychological factors underlying AI acceptance in public administration in Central Asian countries remains limited. The aim of this study was to identify psychological predictors of Kazakhstani civil servants’ behavioral intention to use artificial intelligence technologies. A cross-sectional study was conducted among 170 civil servants. Structural equation modeling using the WLSMV estimator was applied to analyze the data. The study examined perceived usefulness and ease of use of AI, attitudes toward the technology, trust in AI and automation, perceived behavioral control, and self-efficacy. The results showed that perceived usefulness of AI was the strongest positive predictor of behavioral intention (β = 0.603; p < 0.001). Significant positive associations were also found for trust in AI, perceived behavioral control, and positive attitudes toward the technology, whereas trust in automation was negatively associated with behavioral intention. The association between age and self-efficacy differed depending on the language in which the questionnaire was completed. The scientific value of the study lies in advancing the understanding of the psychological mechanisms underlying AI acceptance in Kazakhstan’s public sector and contributing empirical evidence from the Central Asian context. The practical significance of the findings lies in their potential application to the development of training and organizational support programs for civil servants in the context of digital transformation.

Keywords: artificial intelligence, psychological predictors, civil servants, technology acceptance, behavioral intention, trust in AI, structural equation modeling.

Author Biographies

M. Abdykalikova, L. N. Gumilyov Eurasian National University

Candidate of Psychological Sciences, аssociated professor, L.N. Gumilyov Eurasian National University (Astana, Kazakhstan, e-mail: martadaria2019@gmail.com).
T. Kaldybayev, Almaty Management University

MBA, Lecturer at the Graduate School of Business, Almaty Management University (Almaty, Kazakhstan, e-mail: timqaldy@gmail.com).
A. Bolatov, L. N. Gumilyov Eurasian National University, Shenzhen University

M.D. - researcher at Eurasian National University, Astana, Kazakhstan; PhD candidate at Shenzhen University (Shenzhen, China, e-mail: bolatovaidos@gmail.com)
N. Bozymbayeva, Maqsut Narikbayev University, L. N. Gumilyov Eurasian National University

(corresponding- author) – MSSc in Counselling Psychology, lecturer at Maqsut Narikbayev University, Astana, Kazakhstan, researcher at Eurasian National University (Astana, Kazakhstan, e-mail: nbozymbaeva@gmail.com)