AI-Automation Tooling in Computer Engineering Education: Mixed-Methods TAM/UTAUT Evidence for a General Acceptance Attitude

This study investigates the acceptance of AI automation tools, specifically the open-source platform n8n, among undergraduate computer engineering students in Thailand, utilizing a mixed-methods approach based on the TAM/UTAUT framework. Key findings indicate strong acceptance across constructs such as Performance Expectancy and Behavioral Intention, with a notable collapse of sub-facets into a general acceptance factor, suggesting implications for educational methodologies. The results advocate for integrating AI automation tooling into curricula, emphasizing the need for instructional strategies that enhance self-efficacy and trust in these technologies.