The Role of Digital Technologies and AI on the Development of Entrepreneurial Mindset in First-Year University Students

Abstract

In the context of an increasingly digitalized world, entrepreneurship education must adapt to new technological paradigms to effectively prepare students for future challenges. Digital technologies and artificial intelligence (AI) are transforming the ways in which first-year university students engage with entrepreneurial learning, influencing their mindset, creativity, and problem-solving abilities. This study explores the extent to which AI-driven tools, digital platforms, and online collaborative environments contribute to the early development of an entrepreneurial mindset among first-year students in higher education. Through questionnaire surveys, this research investigates how students interact with digital learning resources, including AI-driven business simulations, virtual mentorship programs, and automated feedback systems. The study seeks to analyze whether these technologies enhance students’ ability to identify opportunities, develop resilience, and think innovatively, key characteristics of successful entrepreneurs. Additionally, the research assesses potential barriers, such as gaps in digital literacy, resistance to AI adoption, and ethical concerns related to data privacy and bias in AI-generated recommendations. The results of this study will provide valuable insights into the role of AI and digitalization in the development of students’ entrepreneurial skills, both in terms of pedagogical outcomes, such as the ability to deliver presentations, work in teams, or solve case studies, and in fostering creative and innovative ideas with the potential for business creation. Ultimately, this study contributes to the ongoing debate on the role of AI and digitalization in transforming entrepreneurship education. By understanding the impact of these technologies on first-year students, we can develop more effective learning strategies that not only enhance entrepreneurial thinking but also empower students to become problem solvers and innovators in an ever-changing global market.