From Content Repositories to Intelligent Tutors: The Evolution of Learning Management Systems and the Future of GenAI-Enhanced Smart Learning Environments

This paper conducts a systematic review of the Learning Management System (LMS), tracing its evolution and analyzing its foundational limitations. Traditional LMS platforms , while central to modern education and corporate training, are characterized by significant pedagogical constraints, including poor learner engagement , technical and data interoperability-related silos , and a "one-size-fits-all" approach that fails to provide data-driven personalization. This review systematically analyzes the technological and pedagogical solutions developed to address these failures. The findings reveal a clear evolutionary trend: the LMS has progressed from a static, administrative content repository toward a dynamic, intelligent learning ecosystem. This progression is marked by the integration of pedagogical strategies, such as gamification and microlearning , advanced technical standards, including xAPI and LTI , and the data-driven personalization enabled by Learning Analytics (LA) and Artificial Intelligence (AI). The paper culminates in a case study analysis of the GenieLearn research project. It is posited that GenieLearn exemplifies the next generation of Smart Learning Environments (SLEs) by moving beyond simple AI integration. It proposes a novel human-centered framework to ensure Generative AI (GenAI) is explicitly aligned with human pedagogical values, thereby addressing both the core limitations of past systems and the emerging ethical challenges of AI in education.