EFL teachers, particularly business English teachers, are undergoing challenges and opportunities in performing assessments for learning purposes as artificial intelligence becomes more prevalent in the educational settings. This study develops a conceptual framework of AI-empowered assessment for business English teachers featured with human-in-the-loop, based on analysis of literatures and then refined using the Delphi approach. The study first identifies business English teachers three primary responsibilities, which are actively promoting self-development, facilitating students’ learning process, and providing ethical and emotional support for students. Then, it proposes a conceptual framework led by teachers, centered on students, and assisted by AI and elaborates on the dynamic interaction among teachers, students, and AI. Besides offering a conceptual framework, the study intends to enhance business English teachers’ digital assessment literacy in a way which incorporates AI into EFL teaching and learning. It can help bridge the gap between technological efficiency and educational warmth, ensuring that AI innovation serves rather than supersedes the human elements in language teaching.