Anxious at the Digital Threshold: Artificial Intelligence Anxiety, Digital Literacy, and Entrepreneurial Intention among Indonesian Return Migrant Workers

Abstract

Digitalisation and artificial intelligence are reshaping the economies to which migrant workers return, yet little is known about how returnees perceive and prepare for these changes. This study analyses the entrepreneurial intention, digital literacy, and readiness for artificial intelligence of Indonesian return migrant workers and tests the relationship between artificial intelligence anxiety and entrepreneurial intention. A cross-sectional survey was conducted among return migrant workers in Kebumen Regency, Central Java, as an output of the partnership between the Migrant Resources Center of Universitas Muhammadiyah Purwokerto and PT Bryna Sukses Abadi, a labour placement company. Data were analysed with one-sample t-tests, Pearson correlation, and descriptive analysis of business-relevant digital tasks. Return migrants hold an entrepreneurial intention above the neutral point, while their digital literacy lies below it. Their self-reported readiness for artificial intelligence is not significantly below neutral, although their actual ability to use artificial intelligence tools is very limited. Digital capability declines steeply from basic smartphone use towards online selling and artificial intelligence. Artificial intelligence anxiety is negatively and significantly related to entrepreneurial intention. The study introduces artificial intelligence anxiety into research on return migration and extends social cognitive theory by positioning technology anxiety as an emotional barrier to entrepreneurial intention among migrant workers. It argues for reintegration and pre-departure programmes that combine practical digital training with confidence building.