Designing a University-Level Adult Pedagogy Framework to Cultivate Entrepreneurship Competencies in the Age of Artificial Intelligence

Abstract

The study aims to design a university-level adult pedagogy framework for entrepreneurship competence development in the age of AI. Due to the growing complexity of developing competent learners for dynamic digital economies, it is not surprising that entrepreneurship education for adults is becoming increasingly relevant. It is further suggested that traditional pedagogy is not able to integrate practical skill development, independent learning and technology application together. This study investigates the development of a framework that harnesses artificial intelligence and autonomous learning to improve adult learners’ entrepreneurial knowledge, creativity, decision-making, and self-efficacy. The researcher employed qualitative research methods by using semi-structured interviews with 15 faculty members of the Education, Psychology, English, Urdu, and Mass Communication Departments at the University of Narowal. The data was analyzed through manual thematic analysis to identify key themes and sub-themes highlighting the effect of the framework on entrepreneurship competencies. The results of the study reveal that the framework proposed in this research could enhance learners’ practical skills in business planning and market analysis, stimulate creativity and innovation through experimentation and problem-solving, and improve self-efficacy and strategic decision-making. AI-powered simulations and digital applications will allow more personalized and adaptive learning experiences, while the autonomous learning preference is related to greater reflection, experimentation and applying skills independently. This study enhances the understanding of the inclusion of adult learning theory and experiential learning and social cognitive theory into higher education pedagogy. Essentially, it provides a framework for institutions to decide on ways of ensuring the competency of university members through AI-enhanced learner-centered strategies. According to the study, AI could connect theories to application-based learning, thereby providing a framework for competency-based adult learning in the digital age.