Artificial intelligence and robotics in education: Advances, challenges, and future perspectives

The development of Artificial Intelligence presents one of the greatest challenges for education, driving the exploration of emerging trends in this field. This study uses a descriptive methodology based on a systematic review of 132 articles from the Web of Science database (2020–2023), selected through the PRISMA protocol, prioritizing peer-reviewed studies on AI, robotics, and education. The selection of articles was based on criteria of relevance, timeliness, and methodological rigor, ensuring a comprehensive view of the state of the art. This allowed for a global and interdisciplinary analysis of trends in the use of AI and robotics in education. The aim is to provide a holistic view of the changes affecting education and society, identifying common patterns that signal the beginning of a new educational paradigm. The results indicate that AI is facilitating the development of adaptive learning systems, personalized assistance, and the automation of teaching tasks, with potential impacts on transforming the role of educators and evolving traditional educational methodologies. In the short term, the consolidation of AI-based educational assistants is expected, capable of operating in connection with online databases, complementing teaching work, and optimizing teaching and learning processes. • Education is shaped by trends in automated and robotized industries. • AI and robotics collect data from students and their learning environments. • Machines are emulating human behaviors efficiently and autonomously. • Challenges arise in collaboration between humans and machines, and among machines. • AI regulation requires a global approach and interdisciplinary solutions.