Impact of Artificial Intelligence and Virtual Reality on Educational Inclusion: A Systematic Review of Technologies Supporting Students with Disabilities

The emergence of Artificial Intelligence (AI) and Virtual Reality (VR) technologies offers transformative potential for the advancement of inclusive education, particularly for students with disabilities. This systematic review critically evaluates the current state of research to assess the impact...

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Main Authors: Angelos Chalkiadakis, Antonia Seremetaki, Athanasia Kanellou, Maria Kallishi, Anastasia Morfopoulou, Marina Moraitaki, Sofia Mastrokoukou
Format: Article
Language:English
Published: MDPI AG 2024-11-01
Series:Education Sciences
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Online Access:https://www.mdpi.com/2227-7102/14/11/1223
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author Angelos Chalkiadakis
Antonia Seremetaki
Athanasia Kanellou
Maria Kallishi
Anastasia Morfopoulou
Marina Moraitaki
Sofia Mastrokoukou
author_facet Angelos Chalkiadakis
Antonia Seremetaki
Athanasia Kanellou
Maria Kallishi
Anastasia Morfopoulou
Marina Moraitaki
Sofia Mastrokoukou
author_sort Angelos Chalkiadakis
collection DOAJ
description The emergence of Artificial Intelligence (AI) and Virtual Reality (VR) technologies offers transformative potential for the advancement of inclusive education, particularly for students with disabilities. This systematic review critically evaluates the current state of research to assess the impact of AI and VR on enhancing educational accessibility, personalisation and social inclusion in education. AI-driven adaptive systems can dynamically tailor learning experiences to individual needs, while VR offers immersive, multi-sensory environments that promote experiential learning. Despite these advances, the review also identifies significant challenges, including the high cost of implementation, technical barriers and limited teacher readiness, which hinder widespread adoption. Ethical concerns such as privacy and algorithmic bias are cited as key areas that need careful consideration. The findings underscore the urgent need for further empirical research to explore the long-term impact of these technologies and advocate for more equitable access to AI and VR tools in underserved educational settings. Ultimately, the review highlights the importance of integrating AI and VR as part of a broader strategy to foster genuinely inclusive learning environments that align with the goals of the Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities (CRPD).
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series Education Sciences
spelling doaj-art-b3ad8dc3062d4deca915b976ec784d682025-08-20T02:28:09ZengMDPI AGEducation Sciences2227-71022024-11-011411122310.3390/educsci14111223Impact of Artificial Intelligence and Virtual Reality on Educational Inclusion: A Systematic Review of Technologies Supporting Students with DisabilitiesAngelos Chalkiadakis0Antonia Seremetaki1Athanasia Kanellou2Maria Kallishi3Anastasia Morfopoulou4Marina Moraitaki5Sofia Mastrokoukou6Department of Political Science and International Relations, Sabancı University, 34956 Tuzla, İstanbul, TurkeyDepartment of Sciences of Education and Social Work of the School of Humanities and Social Sciences, University of Patras, 26504 Rio, GreeceDepartment of Psychology, University of Utrecht, 3584 CS Utrecht, The NetherlandsDepartment of Psychology, University of Crete, 74150 Rethymno, GreeceDepartment of Tourism Studies, University of Piraeus, 18534 Piraeus, GreeceDepartment of Psychology, University of Crete, 74150 Rethymno, GreeceDepartment of Political and Social Sciences, University of Salerno, 84084 Fisciano, ItalyThe emergence of Artificial Intelligence (AI) and Virtual Reality (VR) technologies offers transformative potential for the advancement of inclusive education, particularly for students with disabilities. This systematic review critically evaluates the current state of research to assess the impact of AI and VR on enhancing educational accessibility, personalisation and social inclusion in education. AI-driven adaptive systems can dynamically tailor learning experiences to individual needs, while VR offers immersive, multi-sensory environments that promote experiential learning. Despite these advances, the review also identifies significant challenges, including the high cost of implementation, technical barriers and limited teacher readiness, which hinder widespread adoption. Ethical concerns such as privacy and algorithmic bias are cited as key areas that need careful consideration. The findings underscore the urgent need for further empirical research to explore the long-term impact of these technologies and advocate for more equitable access to AI and VR tools in underserved educational settings. Ultimately, the review highlights the importance of integrating AI and VR as part of a broader strategy to foster genuinely inclusive learning environments that align with the goals of the Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities (CRPD).https://www.mdpi.com/2227-7102/14/11/1223students with disabilitiesartificial intelligencevirtual realitysystematic reviewassistive technologies
spellingShingle Angelos Chalkiadakis
Antonia Seremetaki
Athanasia Kanellou
Maria Kallishi
Anastasia Morfopoulou
Marina Moraitaki
Sofia Mastrokoukou
Impact of Artificial Intelligence and Virtual Reality on Educational Inclusion: A Systematic Review of Technologies Supporting Students with Disabilities
Education Sciences
students with disabilities
artificial intelligence
virtual reality
systematic review
assistive technologies
title Impact of Artificial Intelligence and Virtual Reality on Educational Inclusion: A Systematic Review of Technologies Supporting Students with Disabilities
title_full Impact of Artificial Intelligence and Virtual Reality on Educational Inclusion: A Systematic Review of Technologies Supporting Students with Disabilities
title_fullStr Impact of Artificial Intelligence and Virtual Reality on Educational Inclusion: A Systematic Review of Technologies Supporting Students with Disabilities
title_full_unstemmed Impact of Artificial Intelligence and Virtual Reality on Educational Inclusion: A Systematic Review of Technologies Supporting Students with Disabilities
title_short Impact of Artificial Intelligence and Virtual Reality on Educational Inclusion: A Systematic Review of Technologies Supporting Students with Disabilities
title_sort impact of artificial intelligence and virtual reality on educational inclusion a systematic review of technologies supporting students with disabilities
topic students with disabilities
artificial intelligence
virtual reality
systematic review
assistive technologies
url https://www.mdpi.com/2227-7102/14/11/1223
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