LAUSR

ABSTRACT This study investigates the attitudes and self-efficacy of university art education teachers in Wuxi, China, toward Artificial Intelligence (AI). Using Social Cognitive Theory and Diffusion of Innovations Theory, 384 valid questionnaires were collected. The results show that teachers generally lack confidence in AI, with only the “ease of use” dimension receiving positive feedback among five dimensions: relative advantage, compatibility, ease of use, trialability, and observability. Differences in attitudes and self-efficacy were found, with single teachers, associate professors, and digital art instructors exhibiting more positive attitudes and higher confidence. A significant positive correlation was found between teachers' attitudes toward AI and their self-efficacy in applying it in classrooms. The study proposes strategies to foster more positive perspectives and self-efficacy regarding AI for art educators.