THE EFFECT OF AI TOOLS ON BUSINESS ENGLISH VOCABULARY ACQUISITION A COMPREHENSIVE LONGITUDINAL AND EMPIRICAL ANALYSIS IN TECHNOLOGY-ENHANCED ESP PEDAGOGY

The rapid integration of Artificial Intelligence (AI) into educational contexts has fundamentally transformed Second Language Acquisition (SLA), particularly within the domain of English for Specific Purposes (ESP). This study investigates the impact of AI-driven tools—such as Large Language Models (LLMs like ChatGPT), intelligent tutoring systems, and automated writing assistants—on Business English vocabulary acquisition among native Uzbek-speaking tertiary education students. Utilizing a mixed-methods empirical approach over a 12-week intervention period, two groups were analyzed: an experimental group utilizing AI-integrated lexical platforms and a control group following traditional pedagogical methods. Pre- and post-test assessments, measuring both receptive and productive vocabulary knowledge, revealed that the experimental group achieved a statistically significant increase in contextualized lexical retention and nuanced semantic application. The findings suggest that AI tools optimize the lexical acquisition process by providing personalized, high-frequency contextual exposures and real-time feedback loops. The paper concludes with pedagogical implications for curriculum developers in the digital era.