INCLUSIVE ADAPTIVE LEARNING ENVIRONMENTS AND THE ROLE OF ARTIFICIAL INTELLIGENCE: INSIGHTS FROM SOUTH AFRICAN CLASSROOMS

The emergence of educational digital technologies harnessing artificial intelligence (AI) and adaptive learning environments enables continuous monitoring of learner progress while providing tailored,personalized feedback and recommendations. These innovations make it easier for teachers and parents to identify specific areas where learners need improvement. Adaptive learning and AI tools are transforming education by moving beyond traditional teacher-centered approaches that limit learner autonomy and critical thinking. This article investigates the use of adaptive learning and AI to foster personalised learning in South Africa in resource constraint areas, with the focus to enhance learning experiences. In these platforms, large amounts of data can be analysed, adapt, and tailored to the content and delivery of educational materials to meet learner individual needs. A systematic literature review was conducted using data from Scopus and Web of Science, guided by the PRISMA framework. Literature published between 2020 and 2025 was included, as this period marks a significant rise in AI adoption within the education sector. Boolean operators (AND, OR, NOT) were applied to refine search results and identify peer-reviewed studies relevant to the research objectives. Findings reveal that adaptive learning and AI-based platforms effectively monitor learner performance, identify learning gaps, and provide targeted interventions. The reviewed studies further demonstrate that such tools improve learning outcomes, enhance learner engagement, and support teachers by automating administrative tasks and generating progress reports. Despite these benefits, the South African education sector continues to rely heavily on traditional pedagogical methods. Many educators express uncertainty about AI’s role and raise ethical concerns regarding students’ misuse of AI tools. The study concludes by emphasizing the urgent need for teacher training and institutional readiness to harness AI’s full potential for inclusive education.