Artificial Intelligence Enhances Sociocultural Adaptation in International Students

Strategic Insights -

Research conducted by Huajun Ma and colleagues from Ningbo University of Finance and Economics has found that the use of Generative Artificial Intelligence (GenAI) positively impacts the sociocultural adaptation of international students. The study's findings suggest that GenAI use is significantly associated with improved sociocultural adaptation, and that positive reappraisal and perceived empathy mediate this relationship. Additionally, the degree of AI anthropomorphism enhances the indirect effects of these mediating variables on the relationship between GenAI use and sociocultural adaptation.

Key Takeaways:

  • The study, published in Frontiers in Artificial Intelligence, investigated the role of GenAI in international students' sociocultural adaptation.
  • The research employed a three-stage time-lagged questionnaire survey, collecting 329 valid responses from international students at three universities in China.
  • The study found that GenAI use is positively associated with international students' sociocultural adaptation.
  • Positive reappraisal and users' subjective perceived empathy mediate the relationship between GenAI use and sociocultural adaptation.
  • AI anthropomorphism positively moderates the relationships between GenAI use and both positive reappraisal and perceived empathy.
  • The study provides GenAI-based intervention strategies for the educational management of international students.

Statistics:

  • The study collected 329 valid responses from international students at three universities in China.
  • The research employed a three-stage time-lagged questionnaire survey.
  • GenAI use is significantly positively associated with international students' sociocultural adaptation (p < 0.01).
  • Positive reappraisal and users' subjective perceived empathy mediate the relationship between GenAI use and sociocultural adaptation (p < 0.05).
  • AI anthropomorphism positively moderates the relationships between GenAI use and both positive reappraisal and perceived empathy (p < 0.01).

Sources:

  • Ma, H., You, Q., Jin, Z., Liu, X., & Chen, Z. (2025). Exploring the role of generative AI in international students' sociocultural adaptation: a cognitive-affective model. Frontiers in Artificial Intelligence, 8. https://doi.org/10.3389/frai.2025.1615113
  • NewsRx. Ningbo University of Finance and Economics Researchers Detail New Studies and Findings in the Area of Artificial Intelligence (Exploring the role of generative AI in international students' sociocultural adaptation: a cognitive-affective model). Robotics & Machine Learning. July 14, 2025; p 627.