AI Awareness and the Science Gap in the MENA Region: A Mixed-Methods Study of Digital Connectivity, AI Literacy, and Regional Adoption Pathways

Abstract

Artificial intelligence (AI) is rapidly transforming economies, institutions, and everyday life, becoming a central driver of digital transformation worldwide. In many developing contexts, high levels of digital access coexist with limited conceptual understanding of AI, indicating a persistent disconnect between technological exposure and actual digital literacy. This study investigates AI awareness, domain-specific perceptions, and conceptual understanding, while situating these findings within a broader comparative analysis of regional AI adoption patterns across the MENA region. A convergent mixed-methods design was employed, combining a structured survey administered to 50 participants (aged 18+) with a qualitative comparative content analysis of policy documents and media sources across the MENA region. Quantitative data were analyzed using descriptive statistics and chi-square tests, while qualitative data were subjected to thematic content analysis. Results reveal that despite near-universal smartphone ownership (100%) and internet connectivity (96%), AI awareness stood at only 78%, and 68% of respondents primarily associated AI with social media platforms. Three regional AI adoption pathways were identified: exposure-driven, crisis-driven, and state-led. A chi-square test confirmed that professional AI exposure significantly predicts AI literacy, χ²(1, N = 50) = 4.34, p = .037. The findings highlight a persistent science gap between digital connectivity and genuine AI literacy, underscoring the need for targeted educational and policy interventions to develop meaningful public understanding of AI across the MENA region.