Use and Acceptance of Generative Artificial Intelligence in Portuguese Higher Education Students

Generative Artificial Intelligence (GenAI) has rapidly spread worldwide, driving structural changes and redefining approaches to knowledge. This trend has introduced significant challenges, particularly within higher education, where its adoption and acceptance are crucial for pedagogical transformation. However, the increasing integration of GenAI also raises pressing questions related to sustainability, encompassing both its environmental impact (e.g., energy consumption and carbon footprint of AI models) and social and ethical implications (e.g., responsible use, equity, and digital inclusion). This study investigates the factors influencing the adoption and acceptance of GenAI among higher education students, considering these sustainability dimensions. Using an adapted version of the UTAUT2 (Unified Theory of Acceptance and Use of Technology) model, the research analysed data from 229 students, collected in 2025, employing the Partial Least Squares method. By integrating the sustainability perspective, this work seeks to offer an understanding of the challenges and opportunities that GenAI presents for a more equitable and ecologically conscious educational future. The study demonstrates that habit and performance expectancy are the primary drivers of GenAI adoption among students, suggesting that its integration into higher education should prioritize functional value and ethical habit-building over social or hedonic factors.