Rethinking EMI higher education: “new humanities” for EAP classrooms in Hong Kong

Artificial Intelligence (AI) is significantly transforming higher education in Hong Kong, especially within English Medium Instruction (EMI). Literature reviews highlight the role of AI in facilitating the interaction between the humanities and technology, resulting in what is now referred to as the "New Humanities” (Oza, 2023) in EMI higher education. Utilizing nexus analysis (Scollons, 2007, Siu et al., 2024), empirical data from an13-week English for Academic Purposes (EAP) course designed for 64 design majors reveals how AI facilitates digital multimodal composing (DMC). The data illustrates how tertiary students employed AI tools for generating multimodal EAP artefacts. Through the PAA-4T framework (Lin, 2024; Lin & Chen, 2025)—Plurilanguaging, Affect, and Agency—this research underscores the value of diverse linguistic and cultural backgrounds in enhancing EMI. Findings demonstrate that AI-supported transculturing (Lin, 2024; Lo, 2025) multimodal composing in EAP courses fosters inclusive learning environments. The 4T components—Translanguaging, Trans-semiotizing, Transknowledging, and Trans-culturing—enable students to leverage their full linguistic repertoires. This asset-based approach views students' multilingual abilities as strengths, promoting emotional well-being and equitable participation. The PAA-4T framework has significant implications for enhancing EMI education in Hong Kong through AI-assisted, inclusive, and multimodal learning strategies as heteroglossic co-becoming (Bakhtin, 1984; Ingold, 2011).