AI Competency and Perception of XAI Importance Versus Attitude Toward AI: Mediating Effects of Belief in XAI Availability

In this research, we hypothesize that attitudes toward artificial intelligence (AI) are shaped by individuals’ perceived competence in using and managing it, as well as their assessment of the importance of AI’s understandability and transparency, often facilitated by explainable artificial intelligence (XAI) interfaces. Similarly, competence in AI implies the ability to identify and interpret XAI within AI systems, and a high valuation of XAI importance suggests an interest in seeking out XAI. We explore the relationships between individuals’ self‐perceived AI competency, their appreciation of XAI importance, belief in XAI availability, and attitudes toward AI (measured through the fear and acceptance of AI). We investigate the mediating role of belief in XAI availability between AI competency and belief in XAI importance (predictors) and its impact on both the acceptance and fear of AI (outcomes). Our study, conducted through an online survey across two distinct cultural frameworks, the Arab and UK contexts, reveals consistent results, confirming the associations and mediating relationship. The findings underscore the significance of making XAI interfaces visible and understandable, even for less interested and technically competent AI users, as a means to enhance acceptance and alleviate fear.