Building Bridges, Not Replacements: Using AI to Strengthen Peer Collaboration in EFL Writing

Peer feedback is a critical component of process-oriented writing instruction, yet in EFL classrooms, it is often undermined by linguistic insecurity, cultural hesitation, and limited discourse fluency. This chapter explores how integrating an AI chatbot as a pre-peer review scaffold can enhance student engagement, linguistic experimentation, and confidence. Rather than replacing human interaction, the chatbot served as a low-stakes rehearsal space, allowing students to encounter new language and test ideas before engaging in live peer discussions. Recent research likewise suggests that generative AI can function as a productive “rehearsal space” for second-language speakers (Du & Daniel, 2024; Li et al., 2025). Drawing on sociocultural learning theory and human-computer interaction research, the chapter outlines a practical approach for leveraging AI as a preparatory tool. Data collected through chat transcripts, surveys, and classroom observations reveal that when thoughtfully designed, AI can amplify peer collaboration rather than displace it. The chapter concludes with practical takeaways for instructors seeking to integrate AI tools while preserving the interpersonal richness of the writing classroom.