Nursing Students' Early Attitudes Towards the Use of Artificial Intelligence and ChatGPT: An Exploratory Study

ABSTRACT Background As artificial intelligence (AI) becomes increasingly prevalent in nursing education, understanding student attitudes is essential for its effective integration. Aim This study aimed to explore nursing students' attitudes towards AI and ChatGPT in the context of nursing education. Design This study employed a cross‐sectional design. Methods A sample of Turkish nursing students ( n = 347) was included in the study. Data were collected from August–October 2023 using the Student Introduction Form and the General Attitudes towards Artificial Intelligence Scale (GAAIS) through Google Forms. Descriptive statistics, t ‐tests, and ANOVA were used for data analysis. Correlation analysis was performed to examine the relationship between variables. Results Among the participants, 56.8% were aware of AI, 16.4% had previous experience using an AI application, 46.4% believed that AI is beneficial in nursing practices and 79.3% supported the use of AI in the nursing field. A weakly positive correlation was found between the positive and negative attitude subscales of the GAAIS (r = 0.274, p < 0.01). Conclusions This study reveals the complexity and variability of nursing students' attitudes towards AI and ChatGPT. Increased exposure to these technologies may improve future nursing practices. Educational institutions and policymakers need to promote positive attitudes towards AI and ChatGPT to facilitate their effective integration. To ensure ethical and responsible usage of AI, universities must carefully evaluate the risks and benefits associated with these technologies.