Background: The growing integration of artificial intelligence (AI) into nursing education makes AI literacy a critical competency for students to effectively use AI and advance educational practices. Purpose: In this study, we aimed to assess nursing students’ AI literacy and to examine the influence of year of study and AI training on their literacy levels. Methods: We searched 10 databases from inception to February 23, 2026. A random-effects model was used to pool overall AI literacy scores, with subgroup analyses to explore sources of heterogeneity. Results: The meta-analysis included 11 studies. The pooled mean AI literacy score was 4.80 (95% confidence interval: 4.41, 5.19). Subgroup analyses revealed lower scores among first-year students and students without prior AI training. Conclusions: AI literacy among nursing students is moderate and needs improvement, particularly among first-year students and those without prior AI training. Educators should implement targeted, tiered training.
Zhao et al. (Wed,) studied this question.