Digital applied linguistics: What is it and where are we in the GenAI era?

Abstract

Digital Applied Linguistics (DAL) is an innovative and rapidly evolving field that integrates advanced technologies, particularly generative Artificial Intelligence (GenAI), into language education, acquisition, and research. This study first systematically synthesized research on language learning, teaching, and teacher development, as well as potential future directions in GenAI-driven Digital Applied Linguistics, drawing on 23 recent and relevant studies. Employing the Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses (PRISMA) guidelines, findings indicated that digital technologies, particularly GenAI, have significant potential to enhance and transform language learning and teaching. Additionally, the study adopted semi-structured interviews for three focal cases from mainland China, Hong Kong, and Macau. Enlightened from the framework of communities of practice, the results identified key dimensions of the future role of foreign language teachers in DAL, including teacher identity, role transformation, and belief change. Qualitative evidence further revealed that teacher agency functions as an outcome, shaped by the interplay between personal motivation and external support. Finally, the study presents opportunities and challenges while outlining prospective pathways for the continued exploration and reflection of DAL, positioning GenAI as a central and transformative force in this field.