An Integrated TAM and TOE Model Examining AI Adoption Intention in UAE Civil Defence

Abstract

Artificial intelligence (AI) is increasingly becoming an important tool for strengthening emergency management, predictive capability, operational coordination, and public safety performance. However, AI adoption in civil defence organisations depends not only on technological availability, but also on staff acceptance and organisational readiness. This study examines AI adoption intention among UAE Civil Defence staff using an integrated mediation model that combines the Technology Acceptance Model (TAM) and the Technology–Organization–Environment (TOE) framework. Perceived usefulness and perceived ease of use were examined as TAM-based predictors, while TOE readiness was modelled as a mediating construct linking individual technology perceptions with AI adoption intention. Data were collected through a structured questionnaire survey from 278 UAE Civil Defence staff across operational response, command and control, prevention, training, logistics, information technology, and administration. The model was analysed using Partial Least Squares Structural Equation Modelling (PLS-SEM) in SmartPLS. The findings showed that perceived ease of use, perceived usefulness, and TOE readiness had significant positive effects on AI adoption intention. TOE readiness was the strongest direct predictor of adoption intention and significantly mediated the relationships between perceived usefulness, perceived ease of use, and AI adoption intention. The model explained 73.1% of the variance in AI adoption intention, indicating strong explanatory power. The findings suggest that successful AI adoption in UAE Civil Defence requires a balanced focus on user acceptance, organisational readiness, technological infrastructure, governance support, training, and operational integration.