Artificial Intelligence in Leadership Learning: Enhancing Team Climate and Collaboration in Students’ Projects

Abstract

Teamwork and leadership learning are changing as a result of the use of Artificial Intelligence (AI) tools in higher education. This empirical research investigates how AI tools, especially ChatGPT, enhance team-based learning in an Entrepreneurial Leadership course, centering on a Department Camp Project completed by 100 university students. Utilizing a mixed-methods approach, the research employs the Team Climate Inventory (TCI) to quantitatively assess four aspects of team climate-vision, participative safety, task orientation, and support for innovation-while qualitative insights were collected through open-ended surveys examining how students utilized AI tools during their team activities. Results indicate that regular and intentional use of AI, such as for generating ideas and organizing tasks, correlated positively with improved scores in team climate. Thematic analysis of qualitative feedback suggests that AI tools aided in fostering inclusive participation, clarifying shared objectives, and encouraging innovative input throughout the project. This research demonstrates the benefits of integrating AI into leadership education to enhance team effectiveness, providing practical recommendations for educators creating future collaborative learning experiences.