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The influence of AI literacy and dependency on innovative behavior: a multiple mediation-based analysis
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DOI：10.1007/s10639-026-14113-x.png)
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Abstract
En 中文
Artificial intelligence (AI) is increasingly integrated into learning and work, but its association with innovative behaviour remains incompletely understood. Drawing on a sample predominantly composed of higher education students (over 93% undergraduates and postgraduates), this study examines the influence of two core variables, AI literacy and AI dependency, on innovative behavior through a multiple mediation model that incorporates critical thinking awareness, self-regulated learning, and psychological need satisfaction. It adopts a cross-sectional survey design. Questionnaires were distributed via the Credamo platform with regional and gender quotas, using adapted established scales. Data were analyzed using structural equation modeling and bootstrap mediation tests. The quantitative analysis of 910 valid questionnaires reveals that both AI literacy and AI dependency have significant positive associations with innovative behavior, with the positive association of AI literacy being more pronounced. Specifically, AI literacy shows significant indirect associations with innovative behavior through three pathways: increased critical thinking awareness, enhanced self-regulated learning, and greater psychological need satisfaction. In contrast, the indirect associations of AI dependency are weaker. The theoretical contributions are twofold. This study offers a preliminary perspective on “technology-enabled innovation” by jointly examining AI dependency and AI literacy within a unified framework, and it reconceptualizes AI dependency (within the context of our sample and operationalization) not as a passive or compulsive behavior, but as an active and purposeful integration of AI tools to augment cognitive and operational capacities. The practical contribution lies in providing an empirical basis for prioritizing AI literacy development and for constructing AI-enabled innovation management models that leverage both literacy and strategic dependency.
Keywords:
AI literacy
AI dependency
Innovative Behavior
Critical Thinking Awareness
Self-Regulated Learning
Psychological Need Satisfaction
Higher Education
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