AI Chatbots as Mediation Simulators: Enhancing Cross-Cultural and Cross-Disciplinary Communication in ESP, Exemplified by Engineering
Speakers: Prof Yuliana Lavrysh and Prof Iryna Simkova (Igor Sikorsky Kyiv Polytechnic Institute, Ukraine)
Abstract
Mediation is a critical competency for engineers working in global, interdisciplinary teams, where effective communication can determine the success or failure of projects. However, mastering mediation – especially in a foreign language – requires more than just technical fluency. It involves linguistic adaptability, intercultural pragmatics, and negotiation skills that many engineering students struggle to develop. AI chatbots, advanced dialogue-based software programs that process user inputs using natural language (Huang et al., 2024), offer a promising tool for addressing these challenges. By integrating AI chatbots into ESP classes tailored for engineering, we explore their potential in enhancing students’ mediation strategies, fostering cross-cultural communication skills, and refining their ability to bridge linguistic and technical gaps.
Key Advantages of AI Chatbots for Mediation Training in ESP classes:
- AI chatbots can train engineering students in pragmatic competence, helping them navigate the subtle differences between direct technical communication and the diplomatic, context-sensitive mediation required in multinational engineering teams;
- by dynamically adjusting explanations based on a student’s cognitive load and prior knowledge, chatbots can scaffold complex linguistic mediation skills;
- through real-time negotiation simulations, chatbots can expose students to high-stakes engineering discussions where precision, clarity, and cross-cultural awareness are crucial, preparing them to mediate conflicts and misinterpretations in global engineering projects.
In our talk, we will demonstrate how AI chatbots serve as effective mediation simulators in ESP contexts, enhancing engineering students’ ability to bridge both cultural and disciplinary divides. Specifically, we will compare the effectiveness of different AI chatbots (e.g., Mizou, Flint, Character AI) in mediation training; showcase mediation tasks that can be effectively facilitated by AI chatbots, including conflict resolution, summarizing complex concepts for non-experts, and adapt language for different audiences; share insights from our study on how students and teachers perceive the usefulness of AI chatbots for mediation skill development.
With AI transforming education and professional communication, understanding how to integrate chatbot-based mediation training into engineering curricula is more relevant than ever. We invite you to join us for a discussion on the intersection of AI, engineering education, and linguistic mediation – and to explore how we can better equip future engineers for the complexities of global communication.
Bios
Yuliana Lavrysh is a Doctor of Science in Education, Full Professor at the Faculty of Linguistics, where she serves as the Head of the Department of English Language for Engineering at Igor Sikorsky Kyiv Polytechnic Institute, Ukraine. She has 25 years of teaching experience at the BA, MA, and PhD levels. She has authored and co-authored over 110 scientific publications. Yuliana Lavrysh serves on the editorial boards of several Ukrainian and European scientific journals in the fields of educational technologies, inclusivity, UDL and ESP methodology. She actively participates in national and international conferences, forums, workshops, and webinars for educator training, contributing to advancements in her fields of expertise. Her research interests focus on ESP methodology, UDL, inclusivity, resilient pedagogy, virtual exchange, and the integration of educational technologies in language learning. (OrchID: https://orcid.org/0000-0001-7713-120X)
Iryna Simkova is a Doctor of Science (Education), Professor, and currently serving as the HoD of English Language for Humanities at Igor Sikorsky Kyiv Polytechnic Institute. Her research and publications focus on the integration of digital pedagogy, artificial intelligence (AI) in education, English for Academic Purposes (EAP), and English for Specific Purposes (ESP). As an expert in these fields, she conducts cross-disciplinary studies, organizes and coordinates events designed to enhance teaching and learning across diverse educational contexts. (OrchID: https://orcid.org/0000-0002-0410-5454)