Determinants of Successful Integration and Adoption of AI in Education: A Structural Equation Modeling Approach
Artificial Intelligent Towards Sustainable Impact Accelerator through Education, Research and Advocacy, (2026), pp. 51-79
Kingsley Ofosu-Ampong
a
,
Priscilla Pomaa Annor
b
,
Samuel Owusu-Ansah
a
,
Dharel P. Acut
c
,
Chockalingam Aravind Vaithilingam
d
,
Ari Happonen
e
,
Manuel B. Garcia
f
a University of Ghana, South Africa
b Busara Africa, Ghana
c Cebu Technological University, Philippines
d Taylor’s University, Malaysia
e LUT University, Finland
f FEU Institute of Technology, Philippines
Abstract: As artificial intelligence (AI) continues to permeate the education sector, the question is no longer about what it can do but what drives its successful adoption. Despite a growing body of literature on AI in education, research specifically addressing its adoption in developing countries is still lacking, even though the use of AI is potentially even more widely adopted there than in other places. Thus, we examined the critical factors influencing AI adoption in Ghanaian higher education institutions. Anchored in the diffusion of innovation (DoI) Theory and the unified theory of acceptance and use of technology 2 (UTAUT2), we specifically investigated the role of interoperability, relative advantage, pedagogical alignment, accessibility and affordability, and ethical considerations in shaping its adoption in these institutions. Quantitative data from 230 participants across 34 universities in Greater Accra was analyzed using a structural-equation-modeling approach. With an explanatory power of 77.3%, our model confirms the significant role of all five factors in shaping AI adoption. Our findings highlight the necessity for structured AI implementation strategies, including phased rollouts, professional development initiatives, and continuous system optimization to facilitate sustainable integration in resource-limited contexts. This study provides empirical evidence to guide policymakers and institutional leaders in aligning AI-driven educational innovations with strategic and contextual imperatives.