Factors Associated with Artificial Intelligence-Help-Seeking Behavior Among University Students in the UAE: A Cross-Sectional Study

Artificial intelligence (AI)-mediated tools have rapidly penetrated student life and become a valuable resource for seeking help with academic assignments/tasks, psychological problems, and social interactions. This study aims to investigate the levels and associations of AI-help-seeking behavior (AI-HSB), anxiety, stress, and depression among university students in the United Arab Emirates (UAE). In addition, it examines the factors associated with AI-HSB based on the selected demographic (gender, marital status, age, academic year, employment status, major, and nationality), as well as anxiety, stress, and depression. This study employed a descriptive cross-sectional design among 433 university students, who were recruited via an online Google Form between 1 October 2025 and 10 December 2025. The study utilized validated Arabic versions of the AI-HSB scale and the anxiety, stress, and depression scale. Descriptive statistics, Pearson correlation, and predictive analyses were conducted using SPSS v 25. Results indicated that students reported moderate reliance on AI-HSB despite moderate to severe levels of psychological distress, with particular emphasis on anxiety. The AI-HSB was positively associated with anxiety, stress, and depression amongst the participants. Furthermore, both depression and the students’ academic year emerged as the only significant predictors of AI-HSB, explaining a modest but meaningful proportion of variance with an exact percentage of 18.1%. AI tools may partially circumvent stigma by offering privacy and anonymity; however, cultural expectations around interpersonal support, trust, and authority may simultaneously limit students’ willingness to rely on non-human agents for emotional care.