Research Article

The Promise and Unease of AI: Pre-Service Early Childhood Teachers’ Conceptualizations, Confidence, and Training Needs

Volume: 15 Number: 1 October 30, 2026
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The Promise and Unease of AI: Pre-Service Early Childhood Teachers’ Conceptualizations, Confidence, and Training Needs

Abstract

This study aimed to examine pre-service early childhood teachers’ conceptual understandings of artificial intelligence (AI), AI literacy, pedagogical orientations, affective responses, ethical concerns, and perceived training needs. The study employed a qualitative descriptive design informed by phenomenological sensitivity. Data were collected through semi-structured interviews with 38 fourth-year pre-service early childhood teachers enrolled in an AI literacy course at Kafkas University during the 2025–2026 academic year and analyzed using inductive content analysis. The findings indicated that participants generally perceived AI as a human-like and assistive technology; however, these understandings remained limited and at times ambiguous. Although participants expressed curiosity and positive attitudes toward AI, they also reported anxiety, low self-confidence, and uncertainty regarding its pedagogical use in early childhood education. Ethical concerns mainly centered on the need for teacher oversight, screen dependency, and possible negative effects on children’s socialization. In addition, participants considered their pre-service education insufficient and emphasized the need for more practice-oriented and context-sensitive AI training.

Keywords

References

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Details

Primary Language

English

Subjects

Instructional Technologies, Teacher Education and Professional Development of Educators, Early Childhood Education

Journal Section

Research Article

Publication Date

October 30, 2026

Submission Date

April 17, 2026

Acceptance Date

October 27, 2026

Published in Issue

Year 2026 Volume: 15 Number: 1

APA
Kaya, Ü. Ü., & Gözüm, A. İ. C. (2026). The Promise and Unease of AI: Pre-Service Early Childhood Teachers’ Conceptualizations, Confidence, and Training Needs. Cumhuriyet Uluslararası Eğitim Dergisi, 15(1), 1079-1102. https://doi.org/10.30703/cije.1932692
AMA
1.Kaya ÜÜ, Gözüm AİC. The Promise and Unease of AI: Pre-Service Early Childhood Teachers’ Conceptualizations, Confidence, and Training Needs. CIJE. 2026;15(1):1079-1102. doi:10.30703/cije.1932692
Chicago
Kaya, Ümit Ünsal, and Ali İbrahim Can Gözüm. 2026. “The Promise and Unease of AI: Pre-Service Early Childhood Teachers’ Conceptualizations, Confidence, and Training Needs”. Cumhuriyet Uluslararası Eğitim Dergisi 15 (1): 1079-1102. https://doi.org/10.30703/cije.1932692.
EndNote
Kaya ÜÜ, Gözüm AİC (October 1, 2026) The Promise and Unease of AI: Pre-Service Early Childhood Teachers’ Conceptualizations, Confidence, and Training Needs. Cumhuriyet Uluslararası Eğitim Dergisi 15 1 1079–1102.
IEEE
[1]Ü. Ü. Kaya and A. İ. C. Gözüm, “The Promise and Unease of AI: Pre-Service Early Childhood Teachers’ Conceptualizations, Confidence, and Training Needs”, CIJE, vol. 15, no. 1, pp. 1079–1102, Oct. 2026, doi: 10.30703/cije.1932692.
ISNAD
Kaya, Ümit Ünsal - Gözüm, Ali İbrahim Can. “The Promise and Unease of AI: Pre-Service Early Childhood Teachers’ Conceptualizations, Confidence, and Training Needs”. Cumhuriyet Uluslararası Eğitim Dergisi 15/1 (October 1, 2026): 1079-1102. https://doi.org/10.30703/cije.1932692.
JAMA
1.Kaya ÜÜ, Gözüm AİC. The Promise and Unease of AI: Pre-Service Early Childhood Teachers’ Conceptualizations, Confidence, and Training Needs. CIJE. 2026;15:1079–1102.
MLA
Kaya, Ümit Ünsal, and Ali İbrahim Can Gözüm. “The Promise and Unease of AI: Pre-Service Early Childhood Teachers’ Conceptualizations, Confidence, and Training Needs”. Cumhuriyet Uluslararası Eğitim Dergisi, vol. 15, no. 1, Oct. 2026, pp. 1079-02, doi:10.30703/cije.1932692.
Vancouver
1.Ümit Ünsal Kaya, Ali İbrahim Can Gözüm. The Promise and Unease of AI: Pre-Service Early Childhood Teachers’ Conceptualizations, Confidence, and Training Needs. CIJE. 2026 Oct. 1;15(1):1079-102. doi:10.30703/cije.1932692

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