Diffusion of Innovation refers to

• A. The rate at which AI is adopted by individuals
• B. An economic measure of AI pricing and cost
• C. The framework for how new ideas and technologies spread through populations
• D. The gap in access to digital technology

Answer: (C)

Diffusion of Innovation is the framework that explains how new ideas and technologies spread through populations over time, as people learn about them, form opinions, and decide whether to adopt. It looks at the social processes and communication channels—both mass media and interpersonal networks—that move information through a social system, shaping how quickly adoption occurs. The concept also includes the sequence of steps people go through and the different types of adopters, from those who pioneer new ideas to those who adopt much later. Important attributes that influence spread are the idea’s relative advantage, compatibility with existing practices, complexity, how easily it can be tried on a limited basis, and how visible the benefits are to others. This broad view helps explain why innovations like AI tools diffuse through society, not just why individuals adopt them, and it differs from narrower notions of pricing or gaps in access.