Cultural Empathy in AI-Supported Collaborative Learning: Advancing Inclusive Digital Learning in Higher Education

The rapid advancement of Artificial Intelligence (AI) technologies is driving a profound transformation in higher education, shifting traditional learning toward digital, remote, and AI-mediated environments. This shift—accelerated by the COVID-19 pandemic—has made computer-supported collaborative learning (CSCL) a central pedagogical model for engaging students in virtual, interactive, and peer-based learning. However, while these environments enhance access and flexibility, they also introduce new emotional, social, and intercultural challenges that students must navigate without the benefit of face-to-face interaction. In this evolving context, Social and Emotional Learning (SEL) has become increasingly essential—not only for supporting student well-being but also for fostering the self-efficacy, adaptability, and interpersonal competencies required for success in AI-enhanced academic settings. Despite its importance, the role of SEL in higher education—particularly within CSCL frameworks—remains underexplored. This study investigates how SEL, and specifically cultural empathy, influences students’ learning experiences in multicultural CSCL environments. Grounded in Bandura’s social cognitive theory and Allport’s Contact Theory, this study builds on theoretical insights that position emotional stability, social competence, and cultural empathy as critical SEL dimensions for promoting equity, collaboration, and effective participation in diverse, AI-supported learning settings. A quantitative study was conducted with 258 bachelor’s and master’s students on a multicultural campus. Using the Multicultural Social and Emotional Learning (SEL CASTLE) model, the research examined the relationships among SEL competencies and self-efficacy in CSCL environments. Findings reveal that cultural empathy plays a mediating role between emotional and social competencies and academic self-efficacy, emphasizing its importance in enhancing collaborative learning experiences within AI-driven environments. The results highlight the urgent need to cultivate cultural empathy to support inclusive, effective digital learning across diverse educational settings. This study contributes to the fields of intercultural education and digital pedagogy by presenting the SEL CASTLE model and demonstrating the significance of integrating SEL into AI-supported collaborative learning. Strengthening these competencies is essential for preparing students to thrive in a globally interconnected academic and professional landscape.