Nursing Students’ Knowledge and Attitudes Regarding Artificial Intelligence

Background: The integration of artificial intelligence (AI) into healthcare education and practice is becoming increasingly prevalent. As future healthcare providers, nursing students' perceptions, knowledge, and attitudes toward AI technologies significantly influence their acceptance and utilization of these tools in clinical settings. Objectives: This study aimed to examine nursing students' knowledge and attitudes regarding artificial intelligence (AI), thereby providing critical insights that could guide future integration of this revolutionary technology into healthcare practices. Methods: This study employed a quantitative cross-sectional design, recruiting 250 nursing students via a convenience sample technique. The current study was conducted at the Kufa Technical Institute, Al-Najaf Governorate, Iraq. The study duration was seven months, starting in November 2024 and ending in May 2025. Data collection was carried out using a self-administered questionnaire that assessed participants’ knowledge of artificial intelligence and their attitudes toward artificial intelligence (ATAI), both of which were tested for reliability and validity. A pilot study confirmed the feasibility of the tools. Statistical analysis involved both descriptive and inferential statistics to explore the demographic influences on AI knowledge and attitudes, using a significance level of p < 0.05. Results: The study revealed that the participants had a mean age of 20.88 years (SD = 0.63) and a median age of 21 years. Furthermore, the results provided vital information about nursing students' perceptions regarding AI technology, highlighting a critical gap in training that must be addressed to foster a workforce adept at utilizing AI effectively while preserving the essential human elements of nursing care. Conclusion: The results suggest that, while nursing students recognize the potential benefits of AI in healthcare settings, a significant gap remains in their knowledge and training regarding its application.