AI-write’ framework: Scaffolding use of AI in L2 academic writing

International education and study abroad experiences are now widespread in higher education, requiring students to develop strong L2 academic writing skills to succeed. The use of GenAI to augment human writing skills offers support to students, yet its procedural, ethical, and pedagogical impact is fuelling an ongoing debate in various research and teaching contexts. In academic writing contexts, the effect of GenAI on academic integrity, authorship, critical engagement with sources and cognitive off-loading is concerning. To address this, we developed a conceptual framework based on a scoping review and transnational survey. The AI Write framework integrates development of critical AI literacies and knowledge of AI tools vis-à-vis writing development at discrete stages of the academic writing process. This article discusses the framework and how it can provide assistive scaffolding to international students in the ethical use of AI tools to develop their L2 academic writing in higher educational contexts.