Artificial Intelligence as a Transformative Tool to Improve Students’ English Oral Communication in Sudan Higher Education

The application of AI in CALL has recently accelerated its advancement; nevertheless, empirical studies investigating the potential role of AI in enhancing learners' oral communication skills have been quite rare. The situation becomes even worse regarding EFL learners in higher education settings who are significantly impacted by the educational disruptions due to the present crisis and war situation in Sudan. In such an environment, AI tools appear as a promising alternative to continue communicating and developing language skills. In this context, the current study investigates how undergraduate students utilize AI technologies and whether the utilization is beneficial for English oral communication skill enhancement during educational disruption periods in the Sudanese context. The study uses a quantitative survey design collecting responses from 100 participants studying English communication and English-medium subjects at university. Structural Equation Modeling (SEM) was applied to analyze associations between AI utilization, perception of AI by learners (usefulness, ease of use, and instructional value), and self-perceived improvements in the skills of pronunciation, clarity, fluency, confidence, and communication. The results showed a high level of AI utilization among participants and positive correlations between AI technologies and self-improvement in oral communication skills. The findings also emphasize the significance of perceptual, motivational, and emotional aspects of AI-supported oral communication learning, especially within environments experiencing educational instability and emergency conditions for online learning. This study adds to the existing literature on language learning using AI technologies by presenting data from an environment impacted by conflict and focusing on the value of AI tools in maintaining educational continuity and developing English oral communication skills amid crisis conditions.