Leveraging Artificial Intelligence to Enhance Non-Formal Education: Bridging Learning Gaps Beyond the Classroom

This work investigates the efficacy of AI-driven adaptive learning modules in individualizing competencies to promote critical thinking and practical reasoning, in order to drive knowledge retention, engagement and learner confidence in non-formal education domains. Methods in a quasi-experimental pre- and post-test control group design, two urban community centers enrolled 200 adult learners (age 18–55) in an experimental group (AI; n = 100), using adaptive digital platforms and a comparison group (control; n = 100), using static PDF-based learning materials. Each hour, he alternated between two groups of teens, all participating in a six-week digital literacy program. The AI group completed personalized learning tasks, instantaneous feed-back and ramified features, where the control group followed a fixed content pathway without any adaptive changes. Primary outcome measures were post-intervention knowledge assessments and engagement metrics, including study hours, tasks completed, and logins across the duration of the trial, in addition to a validated learner confidence survey. Researcher performed a series of statistical analyses (ANCOVA, independent t-tests, repeated measures ANOVA) and multiple regressions to examine mediators of success. AI group scored significantly higher on post-test scores (M = 72.5 ± 11.0) than the control group (M = 59.3 ± 12.2; F = 84.2, p 2 fold; p <0.001 for each metric. AI users also had higher confidence scores (4.0 ± 0.6) than those with the control intervention (3.3 ± 0.5; p < 0.001). We repeated our analysis to rule out the possibility that these effects were driven by any systematic differences across gender, age group, or level of educational background. In a multivariate regression, the type of learning intervention used was most significantly predictive of post-test performance, with level of baseline digital literacy coming in second. These outcomes indicate the promise of integrating AI-driven platforms in non-formal education for better learning, engagement and self-efficacy. The findings add to a growing body of research on the ways that AI can be an enabler rather than obstacle, and offer new insights into how it might help close learning gaps among more diverse adult populations outside of traditional school settings.