The Role of AI Literacy and Financial Literacy on Fintech Adoption: Pathway toward Financial Inclusion

DOI

10.2991/978-94-6239-622-7_21How to use a DOI?

Keywords

AI literacy; financial literacy; Fintech adoption; financial inclusion; SMEs

Abstract

Financial inclusion has become a strategic priority for emerging economies, with financial technology (Fintech) offering new avenues to overcome long-standing barriers to formal financial access. In Vietnam, small and medium enterprises (SMEs) play a pivotal role in economic growth yet continue to experience persistent financing constraints. This study investigates the determinants of Fintech adoption and its contribution to financial inclusion at the firm level. Drawing on the Technology Acceptance Model and extending it with cognitive and institutional dimensions, a comprehensive framework is proposed that integrates AI literacy, financial literacy, government support, perceived ease of use, perceived usefulness, and trust as key antecedents. Data from 568 Vietnamese enterprises across multiple sectors were analyzed using Partial Least Squares Structural Equation Modelling (PLS-SEM). The results reveal that perceived ease of use and perceived usefulness are the most influential drivers of Fintech adoption, while AI literacy and financial literacy significantly enhance both adoption and inclusion. Government support and trust further strengthen adoption, emphasizing the importance of regulatory stability and security assurance. The study enriches theoretical understanding by integrating capability-based, perception-based, and institutional perspectives, while offering practical guidance for policymakers, firms, and Fintech providers seeking to advance inclusive digital finance in emerging markets.

Research purpose:

This study investigates the role of AI literacy, financial literacy, government support, perceived ease of use, perceived usefulness, trust and security risk in shaping Fintech adoption and its impact on financial inclusion among Vietnamese SMEs.

Research motivation:

Despite the rapid expansion of Vietnam’s digital economy, financial inclusion remains uneven, with SMEs facing significant barriers to affordable finance. While prior research emphasizes consumer-level adoption, firm-level determinants remain underexplored. This study addresses this gap by extending the Technology Acceptance Model with capability-based and institutional factors.

Research design, approach, and method:

A survey of 568 Vietnamese firms was conducted, covering diverse industries, ownership types, and regions. Data were analysed using Partial Least Squares Structural Equation Modelling (PLS-SEM), enabling assessment of both measurement and structural models with direct and mediated effects.

Main findings:

Perceived ease of use and perceived usefulness emerged as the most influential drivers of Fintech adoption, confirming that usability and performance expectations remain central to technology acceptance. AI literacy and financial literacy also exerted significant positive effects on both adoption and financial inclusion, emphasizing the role of cognitive capabilities in enabling digital transformation. Government support and trust further reinforced adoption by providing institutional stability and enhancing user confidence, while perceived security risk negatively affected adoption, reflecting ongoing concerns about data protection and privacy.

Practical/managerial implications:

The findings highlight the need for firms to prioritize user-friendly and value-adding fintech platforms, invest in AI and financial literacy training, and ensure robust trust mechanisms. Policymakers should enhance regulatory support and digital infrastructure to accelerate inclusive finance through Fintech adoption.

Copyright

© 2026 The Author(s)

Open Access

Open Access This chapter is licensed under the terms of the Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial 4.0 International License (http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nc/4.0/), which permits any noncommercial use, sharing, adaptation, distribution and reproduction in any medium or format, as long as you give appropriate credit to the original author(s) and the source, provide a link to the Creative Commons license and indicate if changes were made.

Download article (PDF)

TY  - CONF
AU  - Vu Tri Tuan
AU  - Nguyen Duc Nhat Anh
PY  - 2026
DA  - 2026/04/21
TI  - The Role of AI Literacy and Financial Literacy on Fintech Adoption: Pathway toward Financial Inclusion
BT  - Proceedings of the International Conference on Emerging Challenges: Business Dynamics in Disruptive Economy (ICECH 2025)
PB  - Atlantis Press
SP  - 346
EP  - 361
SN  - 2352-5428
UR  - https://doi.org/10.2991/978-94-6239-622-7_21
DO  - 10.2991/978-94-6239-622-7_21
ID  - Tuan2026
ER  -