Pedagogical Transformation and Teaching Practice in Programming Education Through AI Coding Assistants: Faculty Perspectives and the AI Coding Assistant Adoption Framework

The rapid integration of artificial intelligence (AI) into higher education is reshaping teaching, learning, and assessment, particularly in programming education. While AI coding assistants can enhance feedback, scaffolding, and student engagement, their educational value depends on pedagogical alignment, institutional readiness, and faculty practice, not merely technical capability. Existing adoption frameworks, however, inadequately address these pedagogical and institutional dimensions in domain-specific contexts. This study proposes the AI Coding Assistant Adoption Framework (AICAAF), a theoretically grounded model integrating the Technology Acceptance Model (TAM), the Unified Theory of Acceptance and Use of Technology (UTAUT), and Self-Determination Theory (SDT). The framework was developed iteratively from prior literature and refined through faculty perspectives. It conceptualises adoption across four interrelated dimensions: usability, pedagogical adequacy, institutional readiness, and faculty engagement. Using PyChatAI as an instrumental case study, this qualitative research draws on semi-structured interviews with 15 faculty members teaching programming courses at Jouf University, a public institution in Saudi Arabia operating in a low- to mid-resource context. Data were analysed using reflexive thematic analysis. Findings indicate that PyChatAI is intuitive and beneficial for novice learners, particularly through instant feedback and automated error correction. However, its pedagogical value is limited in advanced and industry-aligned contexts. Institutional barriers, such as inadequate infrastructure, limited technical support, and the absence of policy frameworks, significantly constrain effective integration. Despite this, faculty expressed strong commitment to adopting AI tools, proposing strategies including curriculum redesign, professional development, and gamified instruction. The study reconceptualises AI adoption as a pedagogical and institutional transformation rather than a purely technological shift. The AICAAF provides a robust foundation to guide curriculum design, teaching practice, and policy development for responsible AI integration in programming education.