Abstract
INTRODUCTION: The integration of generative artificial intelligence (GAI) into education is advancing rapidly, and its potential in creative learning contexts is gaining increasing attention.However, in the domain of music education, the mechanisms through which GAI exerts its influence remain underexplored. METHODS: This study investigates the effects of GAI-supported collaborative music creation on college students' creative interest, creative self-efficacy, self-regulated learning ability, and perceived creative competence. Employing a mixed-method approach that combines structural equation modeling (SEM) with experimental design, the study analyzes data from a sample of 405 university students in China. RESULTS: The results reveal that GAI support significantly enhances creative interest (β = 0.616), creative self-efficacy (β = 0.557), self-regulated learning (β = 0.473), and perceived creative competence (β = 0.357). Furthermore, creative interest, creative self-efficacy, and self-regulated learning are all significant predictors of perceived creative competence. A comparison between the experimental and control groups further confirms that GAI-supported collaboration significantly improves students' creative development. DISCUSSION: These findings offer empirical support for a theoretical model of AI-enhanced creativity and provide valuable insights for the design and implementation of intelligent music education environments.