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Cited by 56Entrepreneurship Studies and InfluencesArtificial Intelligence in EducationVocational and Entrepreneurial Education

Generative artificial intelligence in entrepreneurship education enhances entrepreneurial intention through self-efficacy and university support

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Xie, Yingying, Wang, Shaofeng·2025·Scientific Reports
DOI 10.1038/s41598-025-09545-3PMC PMC12228775
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Abstract

This study investigates how Generative Artificial Intelligence Supported Entrepreneurship Education (GAISEE) influences university students' entrepreneurial intentions through a quantitative analysis of Chinese higher education institutions. Using structural equation modeling with data from 346 university students, we demonstrate that GAISEE significantly enhances both entrepreneurial self-efficacy (β = 0.523, p < 0.001) and entrepreneurial intention (β = 0.244, p < 0.001). The research reveals that entrepreneurial self-efficacy mediates the relationship between GAISEE and entrepreneurial intention, while the university entrepreneurial environment moderates these relationships. Notably, an optimized university environment strengthens the positive effects of GAISEE on both entrepreneurial self-efficacy (β = 0.333, p < 0.001) and entrepreneurial intention (β = 0.207, p < 0.001). These findings provide empirical evidence for the effectiveness of integrating generative AI technology in entrepreneurship education and highlight the importance of supportive university ecosystems in fostering student entrepreneurship.

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  • Confidence came not from positive AI reinforcement but because structured reflection let students understand their experiences and identify next steps.

    “confidence came not from positive AI reinforcement but because structured reflection let students understand their experiences and identify next steps.”

    From Enhancing Student Success through AI-Assisted Reflective Learning in Entrepreneurship Education: An Empirical Study (2026) · cites this paper as Xie and Wang, 2025

    The Discussion (page unavailable) attributes students’ increased entrepreneurial self-efficacy to AI-enriched experiential learning and seeing the outcomes of AI-assisted efforts, which reinforce belief in their abilities. The theoretical background also says AI feedback and personalized assistance mitigate self-doubt. The paper does not describe structured reflection as the reason for increased confidence; its account runs contrary to the claim’s exclusion of AI reinforcement. (LLM, conf=0.82)

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Cited by

Sorted by citations

Authors
Xie, Y., & Wang, S.
Affiliations
Fuzhou University of International Studies and Trade (CN)
Corresponding author
Wang, Shaofeng
ORCID
Wang, Shaofeng
Venue
Scientific Reports
Publisher
Springer Science and Business Media LLC
Published
2025-07-05
Volume
15
Issue
1
Pages
24079-24079
ISSN
2045-2322 (ISSN-L)
DOI
10.1038/s41598-025-09545-3
PMC
PMC12228775
OpenAlex
W4412049861
Cited by
56
References
7
Citations by year
2026: 46 · 2025: 10
FWCI
64.60
Type
journal article
Language
en
Open access
Licence
Locations
  • Scientific Reports (publishedVersion, cc-by-nc-nd)
  • Europe PMC (PubMed Central) (publishedVersion, cc-by-nc-nd)
  • PubMed Central (publishedVersion, cc-by-nc-nd)
  • PubMed (publishedVersion)
  • DOAJ (DOAJ: Directory of Open Access Journals) (submittedVersion, cc-by-sa)
Funders
Zhejiang Province Education Science Planning 2023 General Planning Project (2023SCG399)
Topics
  • Social Sciences › Business, Management and Accounting › Management of Technology and Innovation › Entrepreneurship Studies and Influences
  • Physical Sciences › Computer Science › Information Systems › Artificial Intelligence in Education
  • Social Sciences › Education › Vocational and Entrepreneurial Education
Keywords
generative AI, entrepreneurship education, entrepreneurial intention, entrepreneurial self-efficacy, student entrepreneurship, university students, mediating and moderating effects
MeSH terms
Generative Artificial Intelligence, Adult, Artificial Intelligence, China, Female, Humans, Male, Students, Universities, Entrepreneurship, Self Efficacy, Intention, Young Adult

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