Academic ResearchAugust 3, 2026Journal of Hospitality and Tourism Technology

Implementing AI-assisted cross-cultural training for hospitality interns and its boundary conditions: the development of cultural intelligence and career-related outcomes

This study examines outcomes of AI-assisted cross-cultural training (AI-CCT) for hospitality interns, drawing on constructivist and transformative learning theory. Using data from 456 hospitality interns in China, the authors show that positive evaluation toward AI-CCT is associated with higher cultural intelligence, and that perceived ease of use and internship length moderate how cultural intelligence flows into career curiosity, career confidence, and career-related outcomes.

Authors

Su-Ying Pan, Yuetian Zhang, Yao-Chin Wang

Article content

What the paper studied

The research examines outcomes of AI-assisted cross-cultural training (AI-CCT) for hospitality interns. Drawing on constructivist and transformative learning theory, the authors explore how perceived ease of use and internship length influence the training-to-career pathway. Data from 456 hospitality interns in China were analyzed with a moderated-mediation framework linking evaluation of AI-CCT, cultural intelligence, career curiosity, and career confidence.

Key findings

Positive evaluation toward AI-CCT is positively associated with cultural intelligence.
Cultural intelligence feeds into career-related outcomes through career curiosity and career confidence.
Perceived ease of use and internship length both moderate the strength of the link between AI-CCT and downstream career outcomes.

Why it matters for hospitality

Hotel and tourism operators rely heavily on interns and early-career staff to deliver cross-cultural service. This study shows AI-based training tools can meaningfully build the cultural intelligence those roles require — but only when the tools feel easy to use and the internship gives enough runway for the training to pay off in confidence and curiosity about a hospitality career.

Practical takeaways

Treat AI-CCT as a talent-development lever, not just a training-efficiency lever — cultural intelligence gains translate into career confidence and retention signals.
Prioritize usability of AI training tools; if interns find them awkward, the downstream career benefits weaken.
Give interns enough time in the program for AI-assisted learning to compound — very short placements dilute the effect.

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