Innovating sustainable artificial intelligence citizenship: a qualitative study of the CAITIZEN Model using ATLAS.ti

Context. The accelerated integration of artificial intelligence (AI) is transforming social, economic, and civic environments at global, international, and national levels. University students, as actors of citizenship in formation, increasingly interact with AI systems in learning, creativity, and decision-making contexts. Problem. Educational approaches to AI tend to emphasize efficiency and functionality, while giving limited attention to ethical judgment, algorithmic fairness, and civic responsibility. This imbalance creates tensions between technological adoption and the formation of critically engaged citizens in higher education contexts. Purpose. The main purpose of this research is to develop and qualitatively substantiate the CAITIZEN model as a multidisciplinary framework for understanding AI-assisted citizenship in formation. The model is aligned with the OECD Oslo Manual, and is positioned as a form of conceptual social innovation integrating ethical regulation, critical AI literacy, human–AI collaboration, and metacognitive transparency, contributing to the Sustainable Development Goals of Agenda 2030. Methodology. The qualitative research design was implemented between July and December 2025 in Jalisco, Mexico. Based on a sample of 511 undergraduate and graduate students, data were collected through a 55-item questionnaire covering five analytical dimensions and distributed via Google Forms. The data were analyzed using thematic analysis with ATLAS.ti 25. Theoretical and Practical Findings. The main findings indicate that AI use is structured as an ethical–cognitive–social system rather than as a purely technical practice. The CAITIZEN model contributes theoretically by reframing AI literacy as an ethically grounded capacity, and practically by informing curriculum design and responsible AI governance. Originality. The study advances sustainable innovation through a multidisciplinary approach that conceptualizes AI-assisted citizenship as a socially embedded and formative process, coherent with the SDG frameworks and OECD innovation principles. Conclusions and Limitations. The CAITIZEN model provides a coherent framework for responsible AI engagement in higher education. Contextual limitations indicate opportunities for future research at a global level.