Determinants of Artificial Intelligence Utilization and Its Impact on Learning Quality among Generation Z Students
https://doi.org/10.56225/jmsc.v4i2.499
Keywords:
Artificial Intelligence Utilization, Digital Competence, Learning Quality, Generation Z, Higher EducationAbstract
The rapid integration of Artificial Intelligence (AI) in higher education has created new opportunities to enhance learning quality, particularly among Generation Z students who are highly engaged with digital technologies. However, the effectiveness of AI depends on students’ digital competence and its practical application in learning environments. This study aims to examine the relationships among digital competence, AI utilization, and learning quality, and the mediating role of AI utilization among Generation Z students at private universities in Bogor City. A quantitative explanatory research design was employed, with data collected from 220 respondents using purposive sampling. Structural Equation Modeling (SEM) with LISREL 8.8 was used to analyze the data. The results indicate that digital competence has a positive and significant effect on AI utilization, but its direct effect on learning quality is not significant. In contrast, AI use has a positive, significant effect on learning quality. Furthermore, AI utilization is found to significantly mediate the relationship between digital competence and learning quality, indicating that digital skills contribute to learning outcomes primarily through their application in AI-supported learning. These findings suggest that the effectiveness of digital competence depends on how it is operationalized through AI technologies. Therefore, higher education institutions should not only enhance students’ digital competence but also promote the effective integration of AI into teaching and learning processes to improve overall learning quality.
Downloads
References
Ahmed, R. (2025). Artificial intelligence-based assessment and student performance: The mediating role of digital competence in the university context. Journal of Research, Innovation, and Strategies for Education (RISE), 2(5), 18–35.
Alifah, N., & Hidayat, A. R. (2025). Effectiveness of artificial intelligence-based learning analytics tool in supporting personalized learning in higher education. Jurnal Pendidikan Progresif, 15(1), 74–84.
Balcerzak, A. P., Zinecker, M., & Mičánek, J. (2025). The impact of artificial intelligence on task performance and decision-making: Empirical evidence on Generation Z. Human Technology, 21(3), 620–639.
Chardonnens, S. (2025). Adapting educational practices for Generation Z: Integrating metacognitive strategies and artificial intelligence. Frontiers in Education, 10, 1504726.
Foster, C., & Francis, P. (2020). A systematic review on the deployment and effectiveness of data analytics in higher education to improve student outcomes. Assessment & Evaluation in Higher Education, 45(6), 822–841.
Hardini, M., Hetilaniar, H., Girsang, S. E. E., Putra, S. N. W., & Hikam, I. N. (2025). Advancing higher education: Longitudinal study on AI integration and its impact on learning. International Journal of Cyber and IT Service Management, 5(1), 23–30.
Helmiatin, H., Hidayat, A., & Kahar, M. R. (2024). Investigating the adoption of AI in higher education: A study of public universities in Indonesia. Cogent Education, 11(1), 2380175.
Iman, M. Z., Asis, A. A., & Rahma, A. U. Z. (2024). Enhancing personalized learning: The impact of artificial intelligence in education. Edu Spectrum: Journal of Multidimensional Education, 1(2), 101–112.
Kline, R. B. (2023). Principles and practice of structural equation modeling (5th ed.). Guilford Press.
Nair, R. (2024). Incorporation of deep learning-based AI tools in education: A statistical evaluation of the perceptions of Gen-Z and Millennials. In D. Hack-Polay, D. Lock, A. Caputo, M. Lokhande, & U. Salunkhe (Eds.), Global higher education practices in times of crisis: Questions for sustainability and digitalization. Emerald Publishing. https://doi.org/10.1108/978-1-83797-052-020241013
Nathanael, A., Wijaya, D., & Orlando, L. (2024). The implications of utilizing AI for learning on Generation Z. In 2024 International Seminar on Intelligent Technology and Its Applications (ISITIA) (pp. 442–447). IEEE.
Priamono, G. H., Hakim, A. R., & Daryono, R. W. (2024). The influence of artificial intelligence and mobile learning on learning outcomes in higher education: Did the mediation of self-competence matter. Jurnal Penelitian dan Pengkajian Ilmu Pendidikan: E-Saintika, 8(2), 241–259.
Raes, A., Vanneste, P., Pieters, M., Windey, I., Van Den Noortgate, W., & Depaepe, F. (2020). Learning and instruction in the hybrid virtual classroom: An investigation of students’ engagement and the effect of quizzes. Computers & Education, 143, 103682.
Ryzheva, N., Nefodov, D., Romanyuk, S., Marynchenko, H., & Kudla, M. (2024). Artificial intelligence in higher education: Opportunities and challenges. Revista Amazonia Investiga, 13(73), 284–296.
Sari, D. K., Supahar, S., Rosana, D., Dinata, P. A., & Istiqlal, M. (2025). Measuring artificial intelligence literacy: The perspective of Indonesian higher education students. Journal of Pedagogical Research, 9(2), 143–157.
Singh, E., Vasishta, P., & Singla, A. (2025). AI-enhanced education: Exploring the impact of AI literacy on generation Z’s academic performance in Northern India. Quality Assurance in Education, 33(2), 185–202.
Toma, S. G., & Hudea, O. S. (2024). Generation Z students’ perceptions on the abilities, skills and competencies required in the age of artificial intelligence systems. Amfiteatru Economic, 26(65), 162–180.
Tzirides, A. O. O., Zapata, G., Kastania, N. P., Saini, A. K., Castro, V., Ismael, S. A., & Kalantzis, M. (2024). Combining human and artificial intelligence for enhanced AI literacy in higher education. Computers and Education Open, 6, 100184.
Downloads
Published
How to Cite
Issue
Section
License
Copyright (c) 2025 Authors

This work is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 International License.






















