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China is advancing the implementation of the “AI+” initiative and exploring the promotion of AI technology in scenarios such as health management and assisted diagnosis. Against this backdrop, universities are accelerating the adoption of GenAI virtual counseling tools to address the growing psychological issues among undergraduates, including depression, anxiety, and academic stress. However, research on why students are shifting from traditional in-person psychological consultations to GenAI consultations remains limited. Therefore, this study focuses on the student population, collecting data through online questionnaires and employing the PLS-SEM method to systematically analyze the key factors and underlying mechanisms influencing students’ willingness to transition from campus psychologists to GenAI virtual doctors. The findings reveal that privacy concerns, social anxiety, and stigma surrounding mental illness significantly enhance students’ inclination toward AI consultations. The comfort level of interacting with AI and the accessibility of AI services play mediating roles. Additionally, perceived AI information quality significantly moderates the pathways through which privacy concerns, social anxiety, and stigma influence the willingness to switch. This study provides a theoretical foundation and practical reference for universities to develop intelligent psychological support systems that align with students’ actual needs.
Wang et al. (Tue,) studied this question.