Integrating Emotional Intelligence (EQ) and Adab into AI-Driven TVET: A Bibliometric Review and Human-Centred Framework

Artificial Intelligence (AI) is transforming Technical and Vocational Education and Training (TVET) through adaptive learning systems, VR/AR, and automation. While such applications enhance efficiency, much of the discourse remains narrowly technical, with limited engagement in socio-emotional and ethical formation. This bibliometric review analysed publications indexed in Scopus between 2015 and 2025, mapping three strands of scholarship: AI, Emotional Intelligence (EQ), and Adab. After screening, 36 AI–TVET records and 26 EQ–TVET records were identified, while a strict Adab–TVET query yielded none. A broader search on Adab and values in education and vocational contexts produced 45 records. Co-occurrence mapping using VOSviewer revealed technology-focused clusters in AI, modest socio-emotional emphasis in EQ, and fragmented cultural-ethical discussions around Adab. To address this imbalance, the paper proposes a Human-Centred TVET Framework that positions AI for technical competence, EQ for resilience and collaboration, and Adab for ethical and professional grounding. The framework highlights the need for integration of values into AI-driven learning to ensure graduates are future-ready, emotionally resilient, and ethically responsible. This contribution aligns with UNESCO’s TVET agenda and the Sustainable Development Goals, offering implications for curriculum, teacher training, and industry collaboration.