The role of AI and entrepreneurial ecosystem in shaping students’ digital entrepreneurship intentions: evidence from a multi-group analysis

With the rapid advancement of artificial intelligence (AI), digital entrepreneurship education is being reshaped. Based on social cognitive theory and entrepreneurial orientation theory, this study builds a multi-level framework connecting external factors, cognitive variables, and behavioural intentions. It explores how perceived AI competencies and the entrepreneurial ecosystem influence college students’ digital entrepreneurship intentions through self-efficacy and entrepreneurial orientation. A multi-group analysis compares the effects of ChatGPT and non-ChatGPT entrepreneurial education. Using data from 435 Chinese university students and PLS-SEM analysis, results show that perceived AI competencies boost both self-efficacy and orientation across all groups. The entrepreneurial ecosystem impacts self-efficacy broadly but affects entrepreneurial orientation only in ChatGPT group. The effect differs significantly between ChatGPT and non-ChatGPT groups, while other cognitive paths remain consistent. These findings highlight AI’s growing role in education and offer guidance for curriculum design and AI tool integration.