AI is also revolutionizing university-level entrepreneurship education. Tatiana Somià, a researcher at the Free University of Bozen-Bolzano and a Visiting Scholar at Ohio University, has conducted pioneering research in this field. Supported by a prestigious Marie Skłodowska-Curie research grant, her work demonstrates how generative AI tools, like ChatGPT, significantly enhance students' abilities to evaluate their business ideas and stimulate creativity.

Tatiana Somià, how is AI revolutionizing the business landscape, and what implications does this have for entrepreneurship education?

Recent advancements in AI are simplifying business operations across various sectors and contributing to the development of established companies. AI also plays a key role in supporting new business creation, influencing entrepreneurial intentions, opportunity recognition, and strategic decision-making. As AI increasingly shapes the economy, preparing students for this transformation is essential. Integrating AI into teaching strategies can elevate students' entrepreneurial skills, shifting them from passive learning to active creation. Through interactive learning and real-world entrepreneurial simulations, students can develop both creativity and the ability to evaluate business ideas.

You have conducted pioneering research in this area. Could you describe it in more detail?

My research examines both the benefits and risks of using generative AI tools in university education and their influence on developing entrepreneurial skills. ChatGPT, for example, introduced by OpenAI in November 2022, represents a breakthrough in content generation, producing human-like text. My research, conducted in spring 2023, is one of the first studies exploring the use of ChatGPT, which was temporarily banned in Italy in April 2023 due to privacy concerns. The study involved students from two entrepreneurship courses in the southeastern United States. Initially, students created a Business Model Canvas (BMC)– a strategic management template used to develop new business models and to document existing ones– without ChatGPT’s assistance. The BMC, widely recognized for its experiential learning benefits, encourages students to articulate their hypotheses. After demonstrating ChatGPT’s capabilities, students had the option to use it to refine their BMCs.

What were the results?

The participating students highlighted both the benefits and limitations of using ChatGPT and assessed its impact on developing their entrepreneurial skills. The results revealed that ChatGPT significantly enhanced students' ability to evaluate business ideas, with many students using it to identify essential resources and activities within their projects. These elements are found on the left side of the BMC, associated with logic and analytical thinking, which ChatGPT supported effectively. ChatGPT facilitated complex decision-making and opportunity analysis, allowing rapid information gathering and suggesting possible solutions. However, it is crucial that students use these tools critically, combining AI insights with their own judgment and evaluation.

Were there any limitations or challenges encountered in using this tool?

Certainly, there were limitations. Research and student feedback highlighted some challenges. While ChatGPT can enhance creativity and idea generation, it falls short in providing truly novel solutions to unprecedented problems. Current AI remains limited in generating original ideas outside of existing knowledge. Although it improves efficiency by accelerating information processing and synthesis, students noted issues with accuracy and reliability. AI can produce inaccurate or misleading content and, in some cases, create fabricated citations, a phenomenon known as "hallucination." It is essential to verify AI-generated information and adopt a critical, responsible approach to using it.

How do you see the future of AI integration in entrepreneurship education?

I believe AI’s integration in university education, particularly in entrepreneurship, holds tremendous potential. Tools like ChatGPT can foster a more interactive, personalized learning experience, encouraging student curiosity and active engagement. AI can simulate entrepreneurial scenarios, offering students opportunities to test ideas and receive continuous, interactive feedback. Recognizing AI's limitations is vital, yet its development is irreversible. With ethical and responsible use, AI, alongside entrepreneurial skills and a commitment to sustainable behavior, will be pivotal for future business success.