El papel de la inteligencia artificial en la educación contemporánea: análisis de sus aplicaciones y beneficios pedagógicos

This systematic review analyzes the applications of artificial intelligence (AI) in education between 2020 and 2025, focusing on its impact on personalized learning, student motivation, and educational process efficiency. Motivated by the rapid digital transformation accelerated by the COVID-19 pandemic, the study applied the PRISMA protocol to rigorously identify, select, and analyze 28 relevant studies from major databases such as Scopus, Web of Science, ERIC, and ScienceDirect. The methodology ensured transparency and replicability, synthesizing empirical and theoretical findings on adaptive learning systems, intelligent tutoring systems, and AI-supported self-regulated learning. Results demonstrate significant improvements in academic performance—with an average increase of 14%—enhanced motivation, and greater student engagement through personalized feedback and dynamic learning pathways. Furthermore, AI showed potential to reinforce metacognitive skills provided student autonomy is preserved to avoid technological dependence. Ethical challenges were also identified, including the urgent need for regulations to ensure equity, privacy, and bias reduction in AI algorithms, alongside a scarcity of longitudinal studies and research in culturally diverse contexts. In conclusion, AI is a powerful tool for transforming education but requires careful integration considering pedagogical and ethical factors to maximize benefits and minimize risks. This review guides researchers, educators, and policymakers toward building an inclusive, fair, and effective educational ecosystem in the digital age.