AΙ-Driven Interventions for Neurocognitive, Self-Regulation, and Adaptive Skill Development in Neurodevelopmental and...

Background: Artificial intelligence (AI) is increasingly being used in interventions among individuals with neurodevelopmental and cognitive disorders, offering personalized and adaptive approaches that advance traditional therapeutic practices. Although previous reviews have focused on symptom detection or alleviation, less attention has been paid to the impact of AI in fostering the acquisition of higher-order skills essential for being functional and independent. This review uniquely addresses this gap by synthesizing evidence from randomized controlled trials on AI-driven skill acquisition across multiple domains. Objectives: The objective of this systematic review is to synthesize evidence from randomized controlled trials evaluating the effectiveness of AI-driven interventions in promoting skillfulness. More specifically, it investigates the acquisition of neurocognitive, self-regulation, and adaptive and related skills among individuals with neurodevelopmental and cognitive disorders, including attention deficit and hyperactivity disorder, autism spectrum disorder, dyslexia, dyscalculia, and cognitive impairment. Methods: A systematic search, according to the PRISMA 2020 guidelines, was conducted, selecting randomized controlled trials published between 2019 and 2026. Eligible technologies included conversational agents, intelligent tutoring systems, adaptive training platforms, and machine learning-based interventions. Risk of bias was assessed using the Cochrane Risk of Bias 2 tool. Results: Twenty-four randomized controlled trials met the inclusion criteria. The findings demonstrated improvements in a wide range of skills, such as attention, working memory, mental flexibility, metacognitive control, emotional regulation, inhibition control, and social and communication skills. Generative AI showed efficacy for language and communication skills, while machine learning-based systems demonstrated positive effects on attention regulation and self-regulation. Conclusions: This review concludes that artificial intelligence can effectively assist conventional interventions for individuals with neurodevelopmental and cognitive disorders. However, the heterogeneity in intervention designs, outcome measures, and participant populations limits generalizability and highlights the need for standardized assessment frameworks, larger-scale longitudinal trials, and mechanistic investigations to translate these preliminary gains into long-term functional improvements across diverse clinical and cultural contexts.