AI Integration in Entrepreneurship Education: A Systematic Review of the Mediating Role of Self-Efficacy
DOI:
https://doi.org/10.17977/um065.v6.i4.2026.4Keywords:
Artificial intelligence, Entrepreneurial self-efficacy, Entrepreneurship education, Generative AIAbstract
The integration of artificial intelligence (AI) in entrepreneurship education has expanded rapidly following the launch of ChatGPT however, empirical evidence regarding its effectiveness and implementation challenges remains fragmented. This study synthesizes empirical evidence on AI integration in entrepreneurship education through a systematic literature review following PRISMA 2020 guidelines. A Scopus database search yielded 186 articles, with 25 empirical studies meeting inclusion criteria. Findings reveal neural networks and generative AI as dominant technologies, with neural networks applied in nearly half of the studies and generative AI in more than a quarter. Experiential learning emerged as the most effective pedagogical approach. Entrepreneurial self-efficacy was confirmed as a key mediator between AI and entrepreneurial intention, with consistently strong path coefficients and large effect sizes across studies. AI integration consistently enhanced entrepreneurial intention, self-efficacy, and knowledge acquisition. However, a notable decline in self-perceived creativity indicates potential deskilling risk. Primary challenges include limited technical infrastructure, faculty readiness, and ethical concerns. The concentration of studies in China constrains cross-cultural generalizability. This study proposes the Integrated AI-Entrepreneurship Education Model (IAEEM) as a conceptual framework and provides practical recommendations for higher education institutions to optimize AI integration while mitigating potential risks in developing students' entrepreneurial competencies effectively.
References
Abbes, I. (2024). Shaping entrepreneurial intentions through education: An empirical study. Sustainability, 16(22), 10070. https://doi.org/10.3390/su162210070 DOI: https://doi.org/10.3390/su162210070
Ahmed, F., Lo, Y. T., & Chen, S. (2025). Developing entrepreneurial mindset among non-business majors through experiential learning and AI tools. In Proceedings of the 25th European Conference on Knowledge Management (Vols. 1–2). Academic Conferences and Publishing Limited. DOI: https://doi.org/10.34190/eckm.26.1.3762
Alangari, H. (2024). Disrupting education: Artificial intelligence in higher education. https://doi.org/10.1108/978-1-83549-486-820241004 DOI: https://doi.org/10.1108/978-1-83549-486-820241004
Aripin, J. J., Hendrayati, H., Suryana, S., Jusoh, A., Marimon, F., & Marhadi, M. (n.d.). Psychological mediation mechanisms in entrepreneurship education and entrepreneurial intention: A comparative analysis of business and engineering students. SSRN Electronic Journal. https://doi.org/10.2139/ssrn.5868128 DOI: https://doi.org/10.2139/ssrn.5868128
Aslan, M., Indiran, L., Vivekananth, S., Wiyata, W., Yanamandra, R., Abdul Kohar, U. H., & Quanzhen, B. (2025). Factors influencing entrepreneurial intention: A cross-country comparison of five countries. Studies in Higher Education. https://doi.org/10.1080/03075079.2025.2519787 DOI: https://doi.org/10.1080/03075079.2025.2519787
Cao, L., & Kusakabe, T. (2025). Understanding how the entrepreneurship education portfolio affects undergraduates’ entrepreneurial intentions: A cross-cultural study of China and Japan. The International Journal of Management Education, 23(3), 101259. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.ijme.2025.101259 DOI: https://doi.org/10.1016/j.ijme.2025.101259
Chandiok, S., & Yadav, A. (2025). Unveiling the influence of artificial intelligence on advancing higher education. In S. K. Singh (Ed.), Industry 4.0: Agriculture, rural and women development (pp. 215–234). Springer.
Choi, H., & Kim, S. (2023). Proposal of smart guide system for cultural heritage of archaeological sites using IoT: Focusing on Hoeamsa temple site in Yangju, Korea. Mathematical Biosciences and Engineering, 20(5), 8745. https://doi.org/10.3934/mbe.2023384 DOI: https://doi.org/10.3934/mbe.2023384
Chen, Y., & Lu, Z. (2024). Evaluating e-learning innovations in education management based on neural network for entrepreneurship systems. Computer-Aided Design and Applications, 21(S5), 127–142. DOI: https://doi.org/10.14733/cadaps.2024.S22.45-58
Chen, Y., & Yu, X. (2020). Adoption of human personality development theory combined with deep neural network in college students' entrepreneurship education. Frontiers in Psychology, 11, 1493. DOI: https://doi.org/10.3389/fpsyg.2020.01346
Chen, Y., Zhang, H., Liu, Y., Jiang, Y., & Lu, J. (2022). Innovation farm: Teaching artificial intelligence through gamified social entrepreneurship. Decision Sciences Journal of Innovative Education, 20(4), 214–228. https://doi.org/10.1111/dsji.12253 DOI: https://doi.org/10.1111/dsji.12253
Cheng, E. C. K. (2025). Pedagogies involving the use of AI generative tools for teaching and learning in higher education institutions. In Signals and Communication Technology (pp. 123–140). Springer. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-031-96855-6_5 DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-031-96855-6_5
Dhali, S., Al Masud, A., Islam, M. F., Rahman, S., & Szabó, K. (2025). Fostering entrepreneurial mindset: Examining the synergy of education, social networks, and growth in emerging economies. International Journal of Community Well-Being, 8, 45. DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s42413-025-00236-5
Dunan, A., Mudjiyanto, B., Setiawan, A. B., Awaluddin, E., & Hartiningsih, H. (2025). Artificial intelligence in e-entrepreneurship training: Enhancing digital skills and innovation diffusion in Indonesia. International Journal of E-Entrepreneurship and Innovation, 13(1), 1–18. https://doi.org/10.4018/IJEEI.386065 DOI: https://doi.org/10.4018/IJEEI.386065
Duong, C. D. (2025). AI literacy and higher education students’ digital entrepreneurial intention: A moderated mediation model of AI self-efficacy and digital entrepreneurial self-efficacy. Industry and Higher Education. DOI: https://doi.org/10.1177/09504222251370089
Ellington, L. M. (2026). Personalized education in the age of AI: Innovations and implications. In AI, personalization, equity, and the future of learning (pp. 369–390). IGI Global Scientific Publishing. https://doi.org/10.4018/979-8-3373-5097-4.ch013 DOI: https://doi.org/10.4018/979-8-3373-5097-4.ch013
Enebe, N. B., Mahlaule, C., Segotso, T., & Sobopha, Z. (2025). Exploring the role of higher education in fostering entrepreneurship education among undergraduate students in South Africa. In Springer proceedings in business and economics (pp. 145–162). Springer. DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-031-84885-8_17
Fang, M., Chen, Y., & Liu, J. (2024). An entrepreneurial education game for effectively tracing the knowledge structure of college students. Entertainment Computing, 50, 100634. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.entcom.2023.100632 DOI: https://doi.org/10.1016/j.entcom.2023.100632
Fisher, R., Gogan, T., Williams, J., Pham, T., & Nguyen, J. (2025). Can ChatGPT enhance business student creativity? Evidence from a randomised controlled trial. Studies in Higher Education, 50(4), 678–695. DOI: https://doi.org/10.1080/03075079.2025.2515512
Frolova, Y., Zotov, V. B., Mukhin, K. Y., Kurilova, A. A., & Tyutrin, N. O. (2019). Discussion on key concepts in modern entrepreneurship education. Journal of Entrepreneurship Education, 22(4), 406–406.
Guillén-Yparrea, N., & Hernández-Rodríguez, F. (2024). Unveiling generative AI in higher education: Insights from engineering students and professors. In Proceedings of the IEEE Global Engineering Education Conference (pp. 1–8). IEEE. https://doi.org/10.1109/EDUCON60312.2024.10578876 DOI: https://doi.org/10.1109/EDUCON60312.2024.10578876
He, Y., Xiao, K., Shi, Z., & Zhao, L. (2025, May). “Dependence” or “critical thinking”? The thinking choices of education doctoral students in generative AI environment: Qualitative research based on interview. In Proceedings of the 5th International Conference on Artificial Intelligence and Education (ICAIE) (pp. 498–503). IEEE. DOI: https://doi.org/10.1109/ICAIE64856.2025.11158573
Hsieh, H.-M., & Maritz, A. (2023). Effects of flipped teaching on entrepreneurship professional students' learning motivation: Bayesian analysis and machine learning predictions. Contemporary Educational Technology, 15(4), ep458. DOI: https://doi.org/10.30935/cedtech/13649
Huang, Q., Kumarasinghe, P. J., & Jayarathna, G. S. (2024). Navigating the future: Exploring AI adoption in Chinese higher education through the lens of diffusion theory. Interdisciplinary Journal of Information, Knowledge, and Management, 19, 567–589. DOI: https://doi.org/10.28945/5277
Huang, Y., Yuan, Y., Sun, W., & Li, P. (2025). From classroom to workplace: How entrepreneurship education influences university students' employability. Humanities and Social Sciences Communications, 12, 156. https://doi.org/10.1057/s41599-025-05316-7 DOI: https://doi.org/10.1057/s41599-025-05316-7
Ilie, L., & Budac, C. (2025). An overview of the effectiveness of entrepreneurship education in universities. Studies in Business and Economics, 20(1), 293–303. DOI: https://doi.org/10.2478/sbe-2025-0017
Jayatilake, T. (2025, July). Designing an ethical framework for the integration of generative AI in higher education: Balancing stakeholder interests and enhancing learning outcomes. In Proceedings of the International Conference on Artificial Intelligence in Education (pp. 334–339). Springer Nature Switzerland. DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-031-99261-2_33
Jayaweera, I. G. U. D. (2025, February). Revolutionizing education: Generative AI as a catalyst for personalized learning and innovative teaching practices. In Proceedings of the International Conference on Advanced Research in Computing (ICARC) (pp. 1–6). IEEE. DOI: https://doi.org/10.1109/ICARC64760.2025.10962979
Ji, Y., Zhan, Z., Li, T., Wang, Y., & Lyu, S. (2025). Human–machine cocreation: The effects of ChatGPT on students' learning performance, AI awareness, critical thinking, and cognitive load in a STEM course toward entrepreneurship. IEEE Transactions on Learning Technologies, 18(2), 345–360. DOI: https://doi.org/10.1109/TLT.2025.3554584
Killingberg, N. M., Kubberød, E., & Blenker, P. (2021). Preparing for a future career through entrepreneurship education: Towards a research agenda. Industry and Higher Education, 35(5), 528–540. DOI: https://doi.org/10.1177/0950422220969635
Kshetri, N. (2025). Artificial intelligence in China's education: Policy agendas, innovation drivers, and global consequences. IT Professional, 27(1), 45–52. https://doi.org/10.1109/MITP.2024.3456789 DOI: https://doi.org/10.1109/MITP.2025.3608885
Li, H., Ma, H., Hui, X., & Wang, Q. (2025). Exploring the impact of entrepreneurship module on employability development among non-business students. The International Journal of Management Education, 23(2), 100978. DOI: https://doi.org/10.1016/j.ijme.2025.101278
Li, J. (2025). Entrepreneurial skill augmented neural network (ESANN): A deep learning approach for enhancing entrepreneurial competencies in teachers. International Journal of Computational Intelligence Systems, 18, 45. DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s44196-025-00851-2
Li, J., & Chen, R. (2023). Development of a virtual reality-based implementation system for vocational education using BP neural network. Computer-Aided Design and Applications, 20(S6), 78–92.
Liu, J., & Li, T. (2025). Evaluation college students' innovation and entrepreneurship ability using MLP-based neural network model. In Proceedings of the 3rd IEEE International Conference on Networks, Multimedia and Information Technology (pp. 1–6). IEEE. DOI: https://doi.org/10.1109/NMITCON65824.2025.11188148
Lyu, J., Shepherd, D. M., & Lee, K. (2021). Teaching entrepreneurship in China: Culture matters. International Journal of Entrepreneurial Behavior & Research, 27(5), 1285–1310. DOI: https://doi.org/10.1108/IJEBR-09-2020-0653
Lyu, Z., & Kamin, Y. (2025). Digital-enhanced talent cultivation mechanisms in entrepreneurial universities: An AI-integrated multi-level analysis of student entrepreneurial intentions. Future Technology, 4(4), 117–130. DOI: https://doi.org/10.55670/fpll.futech.4.4.10
Machaba, F., & Age, T. J. (2026). The impact of artificial intelligence on administration, teaching, and learning functions. In AI smart-enabled architecture and infrastructure for higher education (pp. 151–180). IGI Global Scientific Publishing. DOI: https://doi.org/10.4018/979-8-3693-8915-7.ch007
Malik, A., Khan, M. L., Hussain, K., Hashmi, S., & Tarhini, A. (2025). AI in higher education: Unveiling academicians' perspectives on teaching, research, and ethics in the age of ChatGPT. Interactive Learning Environments, 33(3), 456–475. DOI: https://doi.org/10.1080/10494820.2024.2409407
Marchena Sekli, G., & Portuguez-Castro, M. (2025). Fostering entrepreneurial success from the classroom: Unleashing the potential of generative AI through technology-to-performance chain: A multi-case study approach. Education and Information Technologies, 30, 1–25. DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s10639-025-13316-y
Niu, T. (2025). LSTM and simulated annealing for entrepreneurship path planning in smart rural contexts. International Journal of Agricultural and Environmental Information Systems, 16(1), 1–18. DOI: https://doi.org/10.4018/IJAEIS.387415
Ortiz-Bonnin, S., Rejón-Guardia, F., & Blahopoulou, J. (2025). Artificial intelligence at university: A training to promote the responsible use of ChatGPT among students. Praxis Educativa, 20(1), 1–18. https://doi.org/10.5212/PraxEduc.v.20.23456.012 DOI: https://doi.org/10.5212/PraxEduc.v.20.25119.045
Ouariach, S., Ouariach, F. Z., & Khaldi, M. (2025). Artificial intelligence as a harbinger of engagement and collaboration. In M. Khaldi (Ed.), Ethics and AI integration into modern classrooms (pp. 78–98). IGI Global. DOI: https://doi.org/10.4018/979-8-3373-2262-9.ch006
Page, M. J., McKenzie, J. E., Bossuyt, P. M., Boutron, I., Hoffmann, T. C., Mulrow, C. D., ... Moher, D. (2021). The PRISMA 2020 statement: An updated guideline for reporting systematic reviews. BMJ, 372. https://doi.org/10.1136/bmj.n71 DOI: https://doi.org/10.1136/bmj.n71
Park, J.-H., Kim, S.-J., & Lee, S.-T. (2025). AI and creativity in entrepreneurship education: A systematic review of LLM applications. AI, 6(2), 34. DOI: https://doi.org/10.3390/ai6050100
Park, J. Y., & Sung, C. S. (2023). The impact of generative AI tools on the development of entrepreneurial career intentions. In Proceedings of the Australasian Conference on Information Systems (pp. 1–12). ACIS.
Pham, H. H., & Le, T. L. (2023). Entrepreneurial education and entrepreneurial intention among higher education students in Vietnam: Do entrepreneurial self-efficacy and family support matter? Higher Education, Skills and Work-Based Learning, 13(5), 912–930. DOI: https://doi.org/10.1108/HESWBL-10-2022-0213
Qi, A., Wang, Y., & Wang, Z. (2025). Research on innovation and entrepreneurship education in universities based on artificial intelligence technology. In Lecture notes on data engineering and communications technologies (pp. 345–358). Springer. DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/978-981-96-0211-7_70
Rawas, S., & Samala, A. D. (2025). From chalkboards to chatbots: AI in modern education. In A. D. Samala (Ed.), Education, future jobs and smart systems in the age of artificial intelligence: Part B (pp. 56–78). IGI Global. DOI: https://doi.org/10.1108/978-1-83708-432-620251008
Razouki, H., Hair, A., Cherradi, B., & Razouki, A. (2025). Assessing the impact of artificial intelligence on the role of the teacher, student learning and the transmission of knowledge in education. International Journal of Modern Education and Computer Science, 17(1), 1–15. https://doi.org/10.5815/ijmecs.2025.05.04 DOI: https://doi.org/10.5815/ijmecs.2025.05.04
Rodrigues, A. L., Correia, A. B., Rego, C., & Quaresma, R. (2024). Entrepreneurship education: A tool for a new paradigm in higher education? In Interdisciplinary approaches for educators' and learners' well-being: Transforming education for sustainable development (pp. 189–208). Springer. DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-031-65215-8_7
Rożek, K. (2024). GPT models in higher education: Challenges and opportunities. In Proceedings of the International Multidisciplinary Scientific GeoConference Surveying Geology and Mining Ecology Management (pp. 345–352). SGEM. DOI: https://doi.org/10.5593/sgem2024/5.1/s22.881
Somià, T., & Vecchiarini, M. (2024). Navigating the new frontier: The impact of artificial intelligence on students' entrepreneurial competencies. International Journal of Entrepreneurial Behavior & Research, 30(8), 1852–1876. DOI: https://doi.org/10.1108/IJEBR-08-2023-0788
Sulistyowati, R., Djatmika, E. T., Hermawan, A., & Rahayu, W. P. (2022). The linkage of entrepreneurship education and students' entrepreneurial readiness: The mediating role of entrepreneurship ecosystem. Journal of Higher Education Theory and Practice, 22(14), 28–35. DOI: https://doi.org/10.33423/jhetp.v22i14.5532
Sulistyowati, R., Maula, F. I., Mahendra, A. M., & Fahrullah, A. R. (2024). Ecosystems and entrepreneurial intention among students: The mediating role of Islamic values. Perspektivy nauki i obrazovania, 3(69), 113–129. DOI: https://doi.org/10.32744/pse.2024.3.7
Tandon, V., Jain, D., Joseph, D., & James, B. V. (2024). The mediating role of self-efficacy and networks in entrepreneurial intentions: Entrepreneurial education, university support, and user innovation in rural India. New Practices for Entrepreneurship Innovation, 12, 234–256. DOI: https://doi.org/10.4018/979-8-3693-5426-1.ch005
Tang, L., Zhang, Y., & Wang, H. (2025). The role of AI and entrepreneurial ecosystem in shaping students' digital entrepreneurship intentions. Asia Pacific Journal of Education, 45(1), 56–78. https://doi.org/10.1080/02188791.2025.2577334 DOI: https://doi.org/10.1080/02188791.2025.2577334
Treceñe, J. K. D., Patiga, R. O. A., Odal, B. B., Peña, C. M., & Dayaon, M. C. (2025). The emergence of generative AI in higher education: Exploring the perceived challenges among teachers and students. In J. K. D. Treceñe (Ed.), Pitfalls of AI integration in education: Skill obsolescence, misuse, and bias (pp. 123–145). IGI Global. https://doi.org/10.4018/979-8-3693-7890-1.ch007 DOI: https://doi.org/10.4018/979-8-3373-0122-8.ch004
Troussas, C., Krouska, A., Mylonas, P., & Sgouropoulou, C. (2025). ChatGPT in education: A critical overview of breakthroughs and challenges. In Novel & intelligent digital systems conferences (pp. 152–170). Springer Nature Switzerland. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-032-10824-1_12 DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-032-10824-1_12
Uzkurt, C., Ekmekcioglu, E. B., Ceyhan, S., & Pampal, A. S. (2025). Entrepreneurial self-efficacy as a mediator in the entrepreneurship education–entrepreneurial intention nexus: The moderating role of government-based support and financial concerns. Entrepreneurship Education, 8(1), 131–156. DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s41959-024-00133-6
Vecchiarini, M., & Somià, T. (2023). Redefining entrepreneurship education in the age of artificial intelligence: A participatory approach. The International Journal of Management Education, 21(3), 100854. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.ijme.2023.100854 DOI: https://doi.org/10.1016/j.ijme.2023.100879
Voronov, V. V., Lavrinenko, O., & Stashane, J. (2023). Artificial intelligence: A catalyst for entrepreneurship education in the Baltics. Society. Integration. Education. Proceedings of the International Scientific Conference, 1, 724–735. DOI: https://doi.org/10.5922/2079-8555-2023-3-3
Walmsley, A., Decker-Lange, C., & Lange, K. (2022). Conceptualising the entrepreneurship education and employability nexus. In A. Walmsley (Ed.), Theorising undergraduate entrepreneurship education: Reflections on the development of the entrepreneurial mindset (pp. 45–68). Palgrave Macmillan. DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-030-87865-8_6
Wang, M., Liu, Y., & Chen, J. (2022). The influence of college students' innovation and entrepreneurship intention based on deep learning. Frontiers in Psychology, 13, 990169. DOI: https://doi.org/10.3389/fpsyg.2022.900176
Wang, X., Liu, S., & Zhang, L. (2024). How the “West as method” fails: A study of entrepreneurship education from the perspective of China. The International Journal of Management Education, 22(3), 100912. DOI: https://doi.org/10.1016/j.ijme.2024.101073
Wang, X., Zhao, S., Xu, X., Chen, Y., & Lei, V. N.-L. (2025). AI adoption in Chinese universities: Insights, challenges, and opportunities from academic leaders. Acta Psychologica, 243, 104567. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.actpsy.2025.104567 DOI: https://doi.org/10.1016/j.actpsy.2025.105160
Wang, Y. (2023). Organic integration of ideological and political education and entrepreneurship education based on artificial neural network. Learning and Motivation, 83, 101912.
Weng, X., Gu, M. M., Xia, Q., & Chiu, T. K. F. (2025). SWOT analysis of AI empowered entrepreneurship education: Insights from digital learners in higher education. Thinking Skills and Creativity, 55, 101678. DOI: https://doi.org/10.1016/j.tsc.2025.101763
Xie, H., & Zhao, Z. (2025). The analysis of entrepreneurship evaluation system for talent cultivation in artistic creativity and animation under AI. Scientific Reports, 15, 2847. DOI: https://doi.org/10.1038/s41598-025-01437-w
Xie, Y., & Wang, S. (2025). Generative artificial intelligence in entrepreneurship education enhances entrepreneurial intention through self-efficacy and university support. Scientific Reports, 15, 4521. DOI: https://doi.org/10.1038/s41598-025-09545-3
Xu, C., Liu, R., & Li, H. (2025). An association analysis and assessment model of college students' entrepreneurial ability based on graph neural network. Discover Internet of Things, 5, 23. https://doi.org/10.1007/s43926-025-00243-0 DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s43926-025-00243-0
Yan, Y., Wu, B., Pi, J., & Zhang, X. (2025). Perceptions of AI in higher education: Insights from students at a top-tier Chinese university. Education Sciences, 15(2). DOI: https://doi.org/10.3390/educsci15060735
Yang, T., Liu, Y., & Zhang, W. (2025). A deep learning model for psychological support in student entrepreneurship. IEEE Access, 13, 15678–15692. DOI: https://doi.org/10.1109/ACCESS.2025.3547833
Yu, G., Ramayah, T., & Lin, Z. (2025). Toward understanding the role of generative AI in entrepreneurship education: A systematic review. Computers and Education: Artificial Intelligence, 100470. DOI: https://doi.org/10.1016/j.caeai.2025.100470
Yuan, R., Chen, Y., & Zheng, Y. (2024). The impact of deep learning-based psychological capital with ideological and political education on entrepreneurial intentions. Scientific Reports, 14(1), 18132. DOI: https://doi.org/10.1038/s41598-024-68997-1
Downloads
Published
How to Cite
Issue
Section
License
Copyright (c) 2026 Jejen Jaenal Aripin, Suryana Suryana, Heny Hendrayati, Raya Sulistyowati, Amirul Afif Muhamat, Farizki Maulana Rafliansyah
This work is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution-ShareAlike 4.0 International License.
