The purpose of this study is to develop a deeper understanding of the factors influencing user intention to adopt Claude, an AI-based chatbot designed to provide ethical, safe, and high-context interaction.The study involves 200 respondents in Indonesia who have used AI at least once, with data analyzed using AMOS 21. The results show that initial trust has a positive and significant effect on perceived usefulness and perceived ease of use, while social influence also significantly enhances both perceptions. Perceived usefulness and perceived ease of use significantly influence users’ attitudes and directly affect their intention to use Claude. However, initial trust does not have a significant effect on attitude. Furthermore, attitude does not mediate the relationships between perceived usefulness or perceived ease of use and intention to use, indicating that behavioral intention is primarily shaped by direct cognitive evaluations rather than affective responses. Overall, perceived usefulness and perceived ease of use emerge as the main determinants of intention to use, with initial trust and social influence acting as important antecedents in shaping early user perceptions. This study extends TAM in the context of AI chatbot adoption and provides practical insights for improving AI acceptance among young users.