Technological optimism surpasses fear of missing out: A multigroup analysis of presumed media influence on generative AI technology adoption across varying levels of technological optimism

Drawing upon the influence of presumed media influence (IPMI) model, this study investigates indirect media effects on individuals' intentions to adopt generative AI technology, with a further examination of how variations in technological optimism impact the relationships within the IPMI model. Findings from a national survey of 1061 respondents confirmed the existence of presumed media influence in the context of generative AI technology, as individuals’ attention to generative AI technology related media content influenced their presumptions about how others use it, subsequently affecting their adoption intentions through social norm perception, attitude change, and the fear of missing out. Furthermore, a multigroup comparison uncovers divergent presumed media effects on generative AI technology adoption between subgroups characterized by their differing levels of technological optimism, in which high technological optimism was found to trump fear of missing out in driving its adoption.