Examining the role of proactive personality in the relationship between artificial intelligence anxiety and career adaptability among university students

The aim of this study is to examine the relationship between university students' levels of artificial intelligence (AI) anxiety and their career adaptability, as well as to investigate the mediating role of proactive personality in this relationship. The rapid development and integration of AI technologies into the professional world have led to increasing concerns about career uncertainty among individuals. Understanding how these concerns impact career development has become a significant area of research. This study employed a correlational research design, one of the quantitative research methods. The sample consisted of 501 university students studying at various universities in Türkiye during the 2024–2025 academic year. Data were collected using the Artificial Intelligence Anxiety Scale, Career Adaptability Scale, and Proactive Personality Scale. Descriptive statistics, group difference tests, correlation analysis, and mediation analysis were used to analyze the data. Findings revealed a significant negative relationship between AI anxiety and career adaptability, a significant negative relationship between AI anxiety and proactive personality, and a significant positive relationship between proactive personality and career adaptability. Additionally, proactive personality was found to play a mediating role in the relationship between AI anxiety and career adaptability. The results suggest that individuals with higher levels of proactive personality manage their career processes more effectively despite AI-related concerns. These findings highlight the importance of psychological traits alongside technological competencies in students' career development processes and provide important implications for education and career counseling services, emphasizing the need for holistic support mechanisms to help young individuals adapt more effectively to technological change.