School Principals Attitudes Toward Using Generative Artificial Intelligence in Public Education and Being Ready to Implement It

This study aimed to investigate school directors’ attitudes towards implementing generative artificial intelligence (AI) and to measure their level of readiness for its application. The study employed a descriptive survey methodology and was applied to a comprehensive sample comprising all study population members of school directors in Bisha Governorate, with 110 directors responding. The study relied on a questionnaire as the primary data collection instrument. Results revealed that directors’ attitudes towards implementing generative AI were at a moderate level, while their application readiness also scored moderately. In contrast, results showed very high agreement regarding the advantages of using generative AI, whereas associated risks were recorded at a high level. Regarding readiness dimensions, human readiness ranked first with a moderate degree, followed by organizational readiness at a moderate level, and finally technical readiness and infrastructure at a moderate level. The results also revealed differences in overall attitudes favoring those with less experience (under 10 years), and differences in application readiness favoring female directors, while no differences were attributed to academic specialization or educational stage. Based on these findings, the study recommended enhancing awareness of generative AI, improving technical and training readiness, and leveraging the experience of less-experienced directors in promoting a culture of safe generative AI usage.