Abstract
In the contemporary entrepreneurial environment increasingly shaped by artificial intelligence, the Artificial intelligence (AI) literacy of entrepreneurs plays an essential role in enhancing entrepreneurial resilience. However, the underlying mechanisms that explain this relationship remain inadequately explored. Grounded in the Conservation of Resources (COR) theory, this study examines the effect of entrepreneurs' AI literacy on entrepreneurial resilience, specifically assessing the mediating effect of AI anxiety and the moderating effect of social support. Data were obtained from 330 Chinese entrepreneurs using a two-wave survey design. The analysis revealed a significant positive association between AI literacy and entrepreneurial resilience. Furthermore, AI anxiety mediates this relationship, suggesting that AI literacy enhances entrepreneurial resilience by alleviating AI anxiety. Moreover, all three forms of social support were found to buffer the negative effect of AI anxiety on resilience. Notably, the moderating effects of subjective support and support utilization are significantly stronger than those of objective support, highlighting the distinct roles of different support types. These findings deepen theoretical insight into the psychological pathways linking AI literacy to resilience and offer practical guidance for entrepreneurs in the AI era.