Meta AI for Leadership Training: A Pilot Study on Mobile Social Media–Based Blended and Self-Regulated Learning

Abstract

This exploratory pilot study investigates the integration of Meta AI into WhatsApp as a mobile-based tool for leadership education compared with traditional book-based methods. Eighteen university students were divided into two groups: one engaged in Blended Learning with Meta AI and Self-Regulated Learning (BMAI-SRL), while the other relied on Blended Learning with SRL but without Meta AI (B-SRL). Data were collected through pre-/post-tests on leadership knowledge, questionnaires measuring critical thinking, self-efficacy, and SRL, as well as open-ended reflections. Both groups demonstrated significant within-group improvements, but no significant differences were found between groups. Thematic analysis revealed that BMAI supported efficiency, personalization, and flexibility but also posed challenges of reliability and distraction, whereas books provided cultural grounding, deeper understanding, and more consistent engagement. Overall, the findings suggest that a blended approach combining the adaptability of AI with the cultural depth of traditional methods may enhance leadership learning, though larger and longer-term studies are needed to validate these findings.