Effects of artificial intelligence learning environments on engineers’ intercultural communication competence: mediating role of learning adaptability

ABSTRACT

The purpose of this study is to investigate the impact of artificial intelligence learning environments on the intercultural communication competence of engineers. Engineering students at Chinese higher education institutions were invited to participate, and 990 students (510 males and 480 females) from different school types, majors, and grades completed an online survey. After analyses with multivariate linear regression and structural equation modelling, the results show that different dimensions of AI learning environments – including personalized learning, use of technology, and cooperation and interaction – have significant positive impacts on engineers’ intercultural communication competence and learning adaptability. At the same time, learning adaptability plays a mediating role between AI learning environments and intercultural communication competence. This study suggests that AI learning environments may have the potential to (i) enhance engineers’ intercultural communication competence and learning adaptability, an (ii) indirectly improve engineers’ intercultural communication competence through enhancements in their learning adaptability.

KEYWORDS:

• AI learning environment
• engineer
• intercultural communication competence
• learning adaptability

Disclosure statement

No potential conflict of interest was reported by the author(s).

Data availability statement

Data will be available on request.

Additional information

Funding

This paper is supported by the 73rd batch of China Postdoctoral Science Fund program [grant number: 2023M730059], the National Natural Science Youth Foundation of China program [grant number: 72304020], 2024 Shanghai Education Science Research Program [grant number: C2024026].

Notes on contributors

Yinong Chen

Yinong Chen School of Foreign Language, Shanghai Dianji University. She is currently the Director of the Teaching and Research Office of the School of Foreign Languages at Shanghai Dianji University. She is in charge of overseeing the educational management of the English major, the German major, and foreign language teaching across the entire university. Research interest is intelligent teaching of foreign languages.

Lina Wei

Lina Wei Postdoctoral Fellow of National Center for Health Professions Education Development at Peking University. She has earned her Ph. D degree from the Zhejiang University. Her research focuses on engineering education and postgraduate education.