Innovating sustainable artificial intelligence citizenship: a qualitative study of the CAITIZEN Model  using ATLAS.ti

Juan Mejía-Trejo

doi:10.55965/setp.5.10.a5

Authors

Juan Mejía-Trejo Universidad de Guadalajara, Guadalajara, Jalisco, México https://orcid.org/0000-0003-0558-1943

DOI:

https://doi.org/10.55965/setp.5.10.a5

Keywords:

sustainable citizenship, artificial intelligence, qualitative study, CAITIZEN model, ATLAS.ti

Abstract

Context. The accelerated integration of artificial intelligence (AI) is transforming social, economic, and civic environments at global, international, and national levels. In higher education, university students, understood as citizens in formation, increasingly interact with AI systems in learning, creative production, and decision making. These interactions shape academic practices, ethical reasoning, civic participation, and social responsibility.

Problem. Contemporary educational approaches to AI prioritize efficiency, automation, and technical performance, while ethical judgment, algorithmic fairness, data justice, and civic responsibility receive limited attention. This imbalance generates tensions between rapid technological adoption and the formative mission of higher education to cultivate critically engaged and socially responsible citizens capable of assessing societal implications of AI systems.

Purpose. This study aims to develop and qualitatively substantiate the CAITIZEN model as a multidisciplinary framework for understanding AI assisted citizenship in formation. Aligned with the OECD Oslo Manual, the model is positioned as conceptual social innovation integrating five dimensions: Critical Artificial Intelligence Literacy (CAIL); Ethical Awareness and Responsibility (EAR); Awareness of Fairness and Data Justice (AFDJ); Human AI Creative Collaboration (HAIC); and Metacognitive Transparency in Prompting Practices (MTPP), contributing to the Sustainable Development Goals of the 2030 Agenda.

Methodology. A qualitative research design was implemented between July and December 2025 in Jalisco, Mexico. The study involved 511 undergraduate and graduate students. Data were collected through a 55 item questionnaire structured around five analytical dimensions and distributed via Google Forms. The corpus was analyzed using thematic analysis supported by ATLAS.ti 25.

Theoretical and Practical Findings. Findings indicate that AI use among students is configured as an ethical cognitive social system rather than a purely technical practice. The CAITIZEN model contributes theoretically by reframing AI literacy as an ethically grounded capacity and practically by informing curriculum design and AI governance.

Conclusions. The CAITIZEN model supports responsible AI engagement in higher education, strengthens ethical citizenship formation, and highlights directions for comparative, cross cultural, and policy oriented future research.

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Author Biography

Juan Mejía-Trejo, Universidad de Guadalajara, Guadalajara, Jalisco, México

Dr. Juan Mejía Trejo
Born in Mexico City (1964), Mexico

Professional Experience
1986–1987: Electronics Technician, Quality Control Dept., KOKAI Electrónica S.A.
1987–2008: Internal Plant Operations Manager, Teléfonos de México S.A.B. (Western Division)

Academic Background
1987: B.Sc. in Communications and Electronics Engineering, ESIME–IPN
2004: M.B.A. in Telecommunications, INTTELMEX & France Telecom
2010: Ph.D. in Administrative Sciences, ESCA–IPN
2018–2020: Master’s in Business Valuation, Centro de Valores, Mexico

Academic Career – CUCEA, University of Guadalajara
2010–2023: Associate Professor B, Marketing and International Business Dept.
2024–Present: Full Professor C, Business Administration Dept.
2015–2022: Ph.D. Program Coordinator (DCA)

Academic Distinctions
Member, SNII–SECIHTI: Level I (2011), Level II (2019), Level III (2024)
Academic Leadership and Initiatives
2019: Founder, AMIDI — https://amidi.mx
2021: Founder, Scientia et PRAXIS — https://scientiaetpraxis.amidi.mx
2023: Founder, AMIDI.Biblioteca — https://amidibiblioteca.amidi.mx
2022–2025: PI, Frontier Science Project on Social Innovation Management (CONACYT)
2023–2024: Academic designer of AMIDI’s Master's (RVOE ESM14202323) and Doctorate (RVOE ESD14202490) programs in Innovation for Sustainable Development

Academic Output
Author of numerous publications in English and Spanish. See:
Google Scholar

Current Research Area
Innovation Management

Academic Identifiers
ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0003-0558-1943
ResearcherID: O-8416-2017 / HMW-2043-2023
Scopus ID: 57189058982

Contact
jmejia@cucea.udg.mx
direccion@amidi.mx
juanmejiatrejo@gmail.com
juanmejiatrejo@hotmail.com

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