Artificial intelligence literacy and ethical awareness among pharmacy students and associated factors: a cross-sectional study

Bülent Kıran; Ayşegül Soydam

Artificial intelligence literacy and ethical awareness among pharmacy students and associated factors: a cross-sectional study

Abstract

This study aimed to determine the levels of artificial intelligence (AI) literacy and ethics among undergraduate pharmacy students and identify key sociodemographic and educational factors. A cross-sectional online survey was conducted among 324 volunteer students at the Faculty of Pharmacy, Ege University. The questionnaire included sociodemographic items, the Artificial Intelligence Literacy Scale, and the Artificial Intelligence Ethics Scale. Descriptive and inferential statistics and multiple linear regressions were used. Male students had higher total AI literacy scores than female students (31.79 ± 5.02 vs. 30.00 ± 4.75; p = 0.002; Cohen's d = 0.370). Students with prior AI/programming education also had higher AI literacy scores (32.65 ± 5.22 vs. 30.35 ± 4.81; p = 0.005; Cohen's d = 0.473). Higher self-reported technology-use skill levels were associated with higher AI literacy. AI literacy and AI ethics were positively but weakly correlated (r = 0.199; 95% CI: 0.092–0.301; p < 0.001). In the regression model, only conscious AI use significantly predicted the AI ethics scores (B = 0.554; 95% CI: 0.172-0.936; p = 0.005). These findings suggest that AI literacy and ethics should be addressed as complementary educational outcomes in the curriculum. Integrating AI literacy with ethical reasoning, transparency, accountability, data privacy, and patient-centered decision-making may better prepare future pharmacists for responsible AI use.

Keywords

Supporting Institution

NONE

Ethical Statement

Ethics approval for this study was obtained from the Ege University Scientific Research and Publication Ethics Committee for Health Sciences (date: 23.12.2025; Protocol No 3157).

Thanks

NONE

References

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Details

Primary Language

English

Subjects

Pharmacy Management

Journal Section

Research Article

Authors

Bülent Kıran ^*
0000-0001-8734-6095
Türkiye

Ayşegül Soydam
0009-0003-6649-3717
Türkiye

Publication Date

August 3, 2026

Submission Date

April 29, 2026

Acceptance Date

July 1, 2026

Published in Issue

Year 2026 Volume: 30 Number: 4

IZ

https://izlik.org/JA68CK85ZF

Cite

RIS / Bibtex

APA

Kıran, B., & Soydam, A. (2026). Artificial intelligence literacy and ethical awareness among pharmacy students and associated factors: a cross-sectional study. Journal of Research in Pharmacy, 30(4), 1115-1123. https://izlik.org/JA68CK85ZF

AMA

1.Kıran B, Soydam A. Artificial intelligence literacy and ethical awareness among pharmacy students and associated factors: a cross-sectional study. J. Res. Pharm. 2026;30(4):1115-1123. https://izlik.org/JA68CK85ZF

Chicago

Kıran, Bülent, and Ayşegül Soydam. 2026. “Artificial Intelligence Literacy and Ethical Awareness Among Pharmacy Students and Associated Factors: A Cross-Sectional Study”. Journal of Research in Pharmacy 30 (4): 1115-23. https://izlik.org/JA68CK85ZF.

EndNote

Kıran B, Soydam A (August 1, 2026) Artificial intelligence literacy and ethical awareness among pharmacy students and associated factors: a cross-sectional study. Journal of Research in Pharmacy 30 4 1115–1123.

IEEE

[1]B. Kıran and A. Soydam, “Artificial intelligence literacy and ethical awareness among pharmacy students and associated factors: a cross-sectional study”, J. Res. Pharm., vol. 30, no. 4, pp. 1115–1123, Aug. 2026, [Online]. Available: https://izlik.org/JA68CK85ZF

ISNAD

Kıran, Bülent - Soydam, Ayşegül. “Artificial Intelligence Literacy and Ethical Awareness Among Pharmacy Students and Associated Factors: A Cross-Sectional Study”. Journal of Research in Pharmacy 30/4 (August 1, 2026): 1115-1123. https://izlik.org/JA68CK85ZF.

JAMA

1.Kıran B, Soydam A. Artificial intelligence literacy and ethical awareness among pharmacy students and associated factors: a cross-sectional study. J. Res. Pharm. 2026;30:1115–1123.

MLA

Kıran, Bülent, and Ayşegül Soydam. “Artificial Intelligence Literacy and Ethical Awareness Among Pharmacy Students and Associated Factors: A Cross-Sectional Study”. Journal of Research in Pharmacy, vol. 30, no. 4, Aug. 2026, pp. 1115-23, https://izlik.org/JA68CK85ZF.

Vancouver

1.Bülent Kıran, Ayşegül Soydam. Artificial intelligence literacy and ethical awareness among pharmacy students and associated factors: a cross-sectional study. J. Res. Pharm. [Internet]. 2026 Aug. 1;30(4):1115-23. Available from: https://izlik.org/JA68CK85ZF