GENERATIVE AI AND THE FUTURE OF ENGLISH AS A LINGUA FRANCA IN GLOBAL BUSINESS COMMUNICATION

Abstract

The global business communication landscape is currently experiencing a profound and multifaceted transformation, largely propelled by the rapid advancement and widespread integration of generative artificial intelligence (AI). Since the end of 2022, the unprecedented emergence and accelerating adoption of large language models (LLMs) have significantly disrupted longstanding assumptions regarding the uncontested dominance of English as the principal lingua franca in international commerce. Whereas the traditional paradigm of Business English as a Lingua Franca (BELF) has historically emphasized efficiency, pragmatic adaptability, and the negotiation of meaning among speakers from diverse linguistic backgrounds, the increasing prevalence of AI introduces a new form of algorithmic mediation that fundamentally reshapes both communicative practices and expectations in professional contexts. This paper draws on a large, multi-modal dataset that includes a 5-millionword corpus of AI-generated and human-produced business texts, further enriched by ethnographic insights gathered within several multinational corporations. The combined methodology enables an in-depth examination of the complex tension between democratization and homogenization in AI-mediated business discourse. The findings highlight a paradoxical dynamic: while AI tools substantially enhance communicative access, lower cognitive barriers, and provide non-native speakers with unprecedented opportunities to participate in global exchanges, they simultaneously reinforce Anglocentric norms, standardized stylistic conventions, and a tendency toward uniformity in professional communication. The article argues that English as a Lingua Franca (ELF) theory must evolve in order to account for this new interplay between linguistic diversity, algorithmic mediation, and global business practices. By conceptualizing AI not only as a supportive tool but also as an influential actor in shaping discursive norms, the study reframes theoretical debates within applied linguistics. Broader implications are discussed for corporate strategy, the future orientation of BELF pedagogy, the ethical design of AI systems, and international policy-making concerning language use in commerce.

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