The Effectiveness of Artificial Intelligence-Based Interventions for Students with Learning Disabilities: A...

Area of Science:

• Educational Technology
• Artificial Intelligence in Education
• Special Education

Background:

• Artificial intelligence (AI) is increasingly used in education, but its effectiveness for students with learning disabilities (LD) needs thorough evaluation.
• Existing research on AI interventions for LD lacks rigorous methodological quality and carries a significant risk of bias.
• This review focuses on assessing the efficacy and methodological rigor of AI-based educational tools for students with LD.

Purpose of the Study:

• To systematically review the efficacy of AI-based educational interventions for students with learning disabilities (LD).
• To critically evaluate the methodological quality and risk of bias in studies examining AI interventions for LD.
• To identify the types of AI interventions and learning disabilities most frequently studied.

Main Methods:

• Systematic literature search across seven databases (2022-2025) following PRISMA guidelines.
• Inclusion criteria based on the PICOS framework for experimental studies.
• Risk of bias assessment using ROBINS-I and JBI critical appraisal tools.

Main Results:

• Eleven studies (3033 participants) met inclusion criteria, primarily focusing on dyslexia and specific learning disorders.
• Personalized/adaptive learning systems and game-based learning were common AI interventions, all reporting positive outcomes.
• Significant methodological limitations were identified, with most studies having moderate to high risk of bias; however, large effect sizes were noted in arithmetic fluency and reading comprehension.

Conclusions:

• AI-based interventions show potential for supporting students with LD, with consistently positive reported outcomes.
• The current evidence base is limited and potentially biased, necessitating cautious interpretation of findings.
• Future research should prioritize high-quality randomized controlled trials and longitudinal studies to establish definitive evidence and explore long-term effects.