Generative AI Adoption in Higher Education: Impact on Teaching Effectiveness and Academic Productivity

Abstract

Generative Artificial Intelligence has rapidly emerged as an important technological development in higher education. Generative AI tools can assist faculty members in preparing teaching materials, generating assessment content, supporting academic writing, developing examples, summarizing information and performing routine academic activities. However, the availability of such technologies does not automatically result in effective adoption or improved academic outcomes. Faculty members' AI literacy and perceptions of usefulness may influence their willingness to adopt Generative AI, while the consequences of adoption for teaching effectiveness and academic productivity require further empirical investigation. This study develops and examines an integrated model linking Artificial Intelligence literacy, perceived usefulness, Generative AI adoption, teaching effectiveness and academic productivity among higher education faculty. The study is theoretically grounded in the Technology Acceptance Model. A quantitative research design is proposed using a structured questionnaire and Partial Least Squares Structural Equation Modeling. For demonstration of the analytical procedure, a synthetic dataset of 300 faculty responses is used. The structural model indicates positive relationships between AI literacy and perceived usefulness, perceived usefulness and Generative AI adoption, Generative AI adoption and teaching effectiveness, Generative AI adoption and academic productivity, and teaching effectiveness and academic productivity. The model explains 56.2% of the variance in academic productivity. The study contributes to the emerging literature by moving beyond simple technology-adoption intentions and examining the potential professional outcomes of Generative AI adoption among higher education faculty. The findings also highlight the importance of AI literacy, responsible use, faculty development and institutional support in realizing the potential benefits of Generative AI.