Consumer Adoption of Artificial Intelligence: A Review of Theories and Antecedents

Abstract

Recently, people are increasingly adopting technologies powered by artificial intelligence (AI) in their everyday lives. Several researchers have investigated this phenomenon using several theoretical perspectives to explain the motivations behind such behaviour. Our paper reviews this body of knowledge to highlight the technologies, theories, and antecedents of AI adoption investigated this far in academic research. By analysing publications found in Harzing's Journal Quality List, this paper identifies 52 publications on user adoption of AI, 198 antecedents, and 36 theoretical perspectives used to explain user adoption of AI. The most widely used theoretical perspectives in this area of research are the technology acceptance model (TAM) and the unified theory of acceptance and use of technology (UTAUT). Meanwhile, perceived usefulness, perceived ease of use, and trust are the most studied antecedents. Finally, we discuss the implications of these findings for future research on AI adoption by consumers.