The role of artificial intelligence as an amplifier of intellectual capital in improving entrepreneurial decision-making: a systematic exploration

Purpose This study explores how artificial intelligence (AI) impacts entrepreneurship, focusing on decision-making, idea generation and opportunity recognition, as well as ethical challenges and research gaps. It also presents a framework and future research directions to better understand AI's role in shaping entrepreneurial practices through intellectual capital, like knowledge, skills and innovation. Design/methodology/approach The research adopts a systematic literature review methodology, following the rigorous three-stage process developed by Tranfield et al. (2003). Initially, 1,443 records were identified from the Web of Science database, and after comprehensive screening and review, 19 high-quality studies were chosen for further analysis. Content and thematic analysis were conducted to answer four key research questions. Findings The review indicates that AI significantly improves entrepreneurial processes by enhancing decision-making precision, facilitating opportunity recognition and fostering effective idea generation. Moreover, AI is crucial for strengthening intellectual capital by improving knowledge management, supporting creative problem-solving and optimizing human and structural capital in entrepreneurial settings. However, it also uncovers notable gaps in understanding the ethical and societal effects of AI adoption, especially regarding small and medium-sized enterprises and startups with limited resources. Practical implications The paper reviews the current state of the literature on the topic. It also offers a framework that presents AI's potential to drive innovation, enhance operations and support sustainable growth while confronting the ethical challenges and resource limitations that entrepreneurs must address. Additionally, the study highlights the role of AI in enhancing intellectual capital, particularly by facilitating knowledge creation, cognitive tasks and decision-making, which are essential for sustained entrepreneurial success. Originality/value Through a systematic analysis of existing literature, this study contributes to the expanding dialog on AI, intellectual capital and entrepreneurship. It explores answers to the key research questions in this area for the first time, highlighting AI's vital role in entrepreneurial activities. The study also provides a comprehensive framework, practical implications and a future research agenda.