AI Literacy and Ethical Decisions: The Mediating Role of Digital Confidence and the Moderating Effect of Responsible AI Use of College Students

Authors

DOI:

https://doi.org/10.56059/f9bcax54

Keywords:

AI literacy, ethical decision-making, digital confidence, responsible use of AI, 21st century skills

Abstract

The research investigates how college students use AI literacy skills to make ethical choices, while digital confidence serves as a linking factor, and responsible AI use acts as a regulating element. The researchers collected data from 483 students at a Philippine state university using a quantitative-correlational design with Structural Equation Modeling (SEM) analysis performed through WarpPLS (Version 8.0). The study found that AI literacy directly affects both digital confidence and ethical decision-making processes, while digital confidence serves as a partial mediator between the two variables. The results demonstrate that responsible AI use strengthens the connection between AI literacy and digital confidence, highlighting how ethical technology use affects digital trust. The study shows that AI-enabled learning environments require competence, confidence, and responsibility to work together as essential components for students to make ethical decisions. The results demonstrate that Open and Distance Learning (ODL) providers should establish three core areas, which contain AI literacy, ethical training, and confidence-building methods, to create digital learning systems that enable responsible and efficient technology operation.

Author Biographies

  • Joel Mark Rodriguez, Rizal Technological University

    Joel Mark Rodriguez is a seasoned educator and management professional with extensive experience in both corporate and academic sectors. He is also a Licensed Professional Teacher and holds a Master’s of Business Administration and is pursuing a Doctor of Business Administration. Joel is the Center Chief of the Senator Neptali Gonzales Research Center for Development Studies and a Regular Faculty member at Rizal Technological University’s College of Business, Entrepreneurship, and Accountancy (CBEA), specialising in Human Resource Management. Email: mprodriguez@rtu.edu.ph (https://orcid.org/0009-0009-7195-8164)

  • John Jarold Flores, Rizal Technological University

    John Jarold Flores holds a Master's degree in Business Administration and is currently pursuing a Doctor of Business Management at Pamantasan ng Lungsod ng Marikina. He is a regular faculty member of the Human Resource Management Department, under the College of Business, Entrepreneurship and Accountancy at Rizal Technological University. Email: jjmflores@rtu.edu.ph (https://orcid.org/0009-0004-0456-9293)

  • Lourdes Palallos, Rizal Technological University

    Lourdes Q. Palallos is an aspiring operations management professional and a Master’s of Business Administration student with a strong foundation in business operations, logistics, and supply chain management, complemented by hands-on experience in government and higher education institutions. She is committed to continuous learning and operational excellence, leveraging her analytical, organisational, and leadership skills to develop innovative solutions and contribute effectively to organisational success. Email: lourdespalallos.08@gmail.com (https://orcid.org/0009-0008-7870-5891)

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Published

2026-09-21

Issue

Vol. 13 No. 3 (2026): ISSUE 3

Section

Research Articles

License

Copyright (c) 2026 Joel Mark Rodriguez, John Jarold Flores, Lourdes Palallos

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How to Cite

Rodriguez, J. M., Flores, J. J., & Palallos, L. (2026). AI Literacy and Ethical Decisions: The Mediating Role of Digital Confidence and the Moderating Effect of Responsible AI Use of College Students. Journal of Learning for Development, 13(3), 429-440. https://doi.org/10.56059/f9bcax54