The rise of artificial intelligence (AI) has significantly impacted education, yet few scholars have explored AI-assisted classrooms, particularly in language education in China. Understanding the roles of classroom climate, AI literacy, and resilience is essential, as these factors foster positive learning environments and enhance student engagement. In this sense, this study, grounded in Social Cognitive Theory, employs structural equation modelling to investigate factors influencing classroom engagement in AI-assisted Chinese English as a Foreign Language (EFL) classrooms. It examines data from 606 university EFL learners to explore the interactions among these variables and the mediating role of resilience. The findings indicate that classroom climate, AI literacy, and resilience all significantly predict classroom engagement, highlighting the importance of both environmental and cognitive factors in fostering active student participation. Furthermore, resilience serves as a crucial mediator, linking classroom climate and AI literacy to engagement. This study provides some insights for educators and policymakers, emphasising the need to cultivate supportive classroom environments, promote AI literacy programs, and strengthen students' resilience to optimise engagement in AI-assisted educational settings.