SWOT analysis of Al empowered entrepreneurship education: Insights from digital learners in higher education

Abstract

Artificial Intelligence (AI), an educational innovation, has been adopted to facilitate diverse education contexts. While some educators utilized Al to empower entrepreneurship education, this digital strategy has not been explored comprehensively, especially from the perspective of higher education digital learners who use technology as their primary means of learning. To fill the gap, we conducted task-based interviews with 10 university digital learners after their participation of a digital learning and technology programme designed to foster creativity and entrepreneurship. In the interviews, students were invited to conduct SWOT analysis to examine the strengths and weaknesses of AI, along with its potential opportunities and threats in the context of entrepreneurship education. By collaboratively analysing the interview data with thematic analysis method, our study revealed the AI-empowered entrepreneurship education offers strengths like information support, personalized learning, and efficiency increase, but suffers from weaknesses like imprecise information, lack of interpersonal interaction, and technical limits. It provides opportunities like increased entrepreneurial chances, improved information access and fostering of entrepreneurship education 4.0. However, it may also pose threats like data security and privacy issues, over-reliance, ethical concerns, and educational inequality. We discuss the research findings, propose implications for educators to implement the digital strategy, and suggest future directions for entrepreneurship education practice and research to fully utilize AI in the subject.