Now accepting submissions
Culture, Education, and Future
e‑ISSN 2980-2741 Open Access · CC BY 4.0
Vol. 4 · Issue 1 · 2026 Jun 26, 2026 Articles

Artificial intelligence in academic performance optimization: A systematic literature review

IM
Ismail Olaniyi Muraina Corresponding Lagos State University of Education niyi2all@yahoo.com Nigeria
MA
Moses Adeolu Agoi Lagos State University of Education Nigeria
SA
Solomon Onen Abam Federal College of Education Technical Isu Nigeria
BA
Bashir Oyeniran Ayinde Lagos State University Nigeria
WO
Wasiu Olatunde Oladapo Lagos State University of Education Nigeria
Pages35-60 PublishedJun 26, 2026 LicenseOpen Access
PDF
Vol. 4 No. 1 (2026): CEF Journal
VOL 4 · NO 1 · 2026 CEF Journal View issue

Abstract

This paper is a systematic literature review article that aims to examine how Artificial Intelligence (AI) could help enhance the academic performance of computer science students pursuing undergraduate degrees. The analysis was conducted on five primary areas, namely, academic performance, personalized learning, assessment and feedback, dropout-risk prediction, and ethical considerations, basing it on 36 peer-reviewed articles from 2020 to 2025. The applications based on AI, in particular, the intelligent tutoring systems and predictive analytics, have been proven to have a substantial positive impact on the results of the student. The AI-driven personalized learning systems perform even higher and achieve over 97 percent of classification accuracy due to the fact that it is capable of tailoring learning content to the cognitive attributes of learners and preferred learning styles. Ensemble models and deep neural networks have been found to be extremely effective in forecasting dropout risks and ranging between 71 and 94 percent levels of accuracy have enabled timely intervention of at-risk students. Despite these self-evident advantages, the review mentions the current ethical issues of privacy, bias, and unequal opportunities, and the necessity to make the development of AI transparent, responsible, and inclusive.

Keywords

References

  1. Abubakar, U., Falade, A. A., & Ibrahim, H. A. (2024). Redefining student assessment in Nigerian tertiary institutions: The impact of AI technologies on academic performance and developing countermeasures. Advances in Mobile Learning Educational Research, 4(2), 1149–1159. https://doi.org/10.25082/AMLER.2024.02.009 DOI: https://doi.org/10.25082/AMLER.2024.02.009
  2. Ahmed, M. R., & Sidiq, M. A. (2023). Evaluating online assessment strategies: A systematic review of reliability and validity in e-learning environments. North American Academic Research, 6(12), 1–18. https://doi.org/10.5281/zenodo.10407361
  3. Attali, Y., & Burstein, J. (2006). Automated essay scoring with e-rater® V.2. Journal of Technology, Learning, and Assessment, 4(3), 1–31. https://ejournals.bc.edu/index.php/jtla/article/view/1650
  4. Awad, A. A. (2023). AI-based behavioral modeling of user’s interaction with the learning management systems (Doctoral dissertation, Khalifa University of Science and Technology). https://khazna.ku.ac.ae/ws/portalfiles/portal/19100710/file
  5. Aydın Yıldız, T., & Yağcı, Ş. Ç. (2023). How can artificial intelligence help a researcher? A sample of ChatGPT-4 role. International Journal of Language Academy, 11(3), 277–296. https://doi.org/10.29228/ijla.70698 DOI: https://doi.org/10.29228/ijla.70698
  6. Bulut, O., Beiting-Parrish, M., Casabianca, J. M., Slater, S. C., Jiao, H., Song, D., Ormerod, C., Fabiyi, D. G., Ivan, R., Walsh, C., Rios, O., Wilson, J., Yildirim-Erbasli, S. N., Wongvorachan, T., Liu, J. X., Tan, B., & Morilova, P. (2024). The rise of artificial intelligence in educational measurement: Opportunities and ethical challenges. Chinese/English Journal of Educational Measurement and Evaluation, 5(3), Article 3. https://doi.org/10.59863/MIQL7785 DOI: https://doi.org/10.59863/SFEB5996
  7. Chen, X., Xie, H., Zou, D., & Hwang, G.-J. (2020). Application and theory gaps during the rise of artificial intelligence in education. Computers and Education: Artificial Intelligence, 1, 100002. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.caeai.2020.100002 DOI: https://doi.org/10.1016/j.caeai.2020.100002
  8. Cheng, X., Sun, J., & Zarifis, A. (2020). Artificial intelligence and deep learning in educational technology research and practice. British Journal of Educational Technology, 51(5), 1653–1656. https://doi.org/10.1111/bjet.13018 DOI: https://doi.org/10.1111/bjet.13018
  9. Chinta, S. V., Wang, Z., Yin, Z., Hoang, N., Gonzalez, M., Quy, T. L., & Zhang, W. (2024). FairAIED: Navigating fairness, bias, and ethics in educational AI applications. arXiv preprint. https://doi.org/10.48550/arXiv.2407.18745
  10. Cianferoni, F. (2025). AI in higher education: Course-anchored chatbot applications (Master’s thesis, Politecnico di Torino). https://webthesis.biblio.polito.it/38124/
  11. Close, K., Warr, M., & Mishra, P. (2024). The ethical consequences, contestations, and possibilities of designs in educational systems. TechTrends, 68(1), 186–194. https://doi.org/10.1007/s11528-023-00900-7 DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s11528-023-00900-7
  12. Córdova-Esparza, D.-M., Terven, J., Romero-González, J.-A., Córdova-Esparza, K.-E., López-Martínez, R.-E., García-Ramírez, T., & Chaparro-Sánchez, R. (2025). Predicting and preventing school dropout with business intelligence. Information, 16(4), Article 326. https://doi.org/10.3390/info16040326 DOI: https://doi.org/10.3390/info16040326
  13. Coronado-Apodaca, K. G., & Barrios-Piña, H. A. (2025). Enhancing educational innovation: Evaluating the accuracy of AI-generated assessments for engineering course reports. In A. Reis, J. P. Cravino, L. Hadjileontiadis, P. Martins, S. B. Dias, S. Hadjileontiadou, & T. Mikropoulos (Eds.), Technology and innovation in learning, teaching and education (Communications in Computer and Information Science, Vol. 2480, pp. 90–104). Springer. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-032-02672-9_7 DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-032-02672-9_7
  14. Cotton, D. R. E., Cotton, P. A., & Shipway, J. R. (2024). Chatting and cheating: Ensuring academic integrity in the era of ChatGPT. Innovations in Education and Teaching International, 61(2), 228–239. https://doi.org/10.1080/14703297.2023.2190148 DOI: https://doi.org/10.1080/14703297.2023.2190148
  15. Henkel, O., Horne-Robinson, H., Kozhakhmetova, N., & Lee, A. (2024). Effective and scalable math support: Evidence on the impact of an AI-tutor on math achievement in Ghana [Preprint]. arXiv. https://doi.org/10.48550/arXiv.2402.09809 DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-031-64315-6_34
  16. Hu, S., Ke, F., Vyortkina, D., Hu, P., Luby, S., & O’Shea, J. (2024). Artificial intelligence in higher education: Applications, challenges, and policy development and further considerations. In Higher Education: Handbook of Theory and Research (Vol. 40, pp. 1–52). Springer Nature Switzerland. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-031-51930-7_13-1 DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-031-51930-7_13-2
  17. Joseph, O., & Nwankwo, C. (2024). Integrating AI and machine learning in STEM education. Computer Science & IT Research Journal, 5(8), 1732–1750. https://doi.org/10.51594/csitrj.v5i8.1379 DOI: https://doi.org/10.51594/csitrj.v5i8.1379
  18. Khan, S. (2023). The ethical imperative: Addressing bias and discrimination in AI-driven education. Social Sciences Spectrum, 2(1), 89–96.
  19. Kotsiantis, S. B. (2012). Use of machine learning techniques for educational purposes: A decision support system for forecasting students’ grades. Artificial Intelligence Review, 37(4), 331–344. https://doi.org/10.1007/s10462-011-9234-x DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s10462-011-9234-x
  20. Lindsay, E. D., Zhang, M., Johri, A., & Bjerva, J. (2025). The responsible development of automated student feedback with generative AI. In 2025 IEEE Global Engineering Education Conference (EDUCON) (pp. 1–10). IEEE. https://doi.org/10.1109/EDUCON62633.2025.11016572 DOI: https://doi.org/10.1109/EDUCON62633.2025.11016572
  21. Martinez-Gil, J., & Chaves-Gonzalez, J. M. (2022). Interpretable AI models in education systems. Expert Systems with Applications, 188, 116025. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.eswa.2021.116025 DOI: https://doi.org/10.1016/j.eswa.2021.116025
  22. Mehmood, W., Gondal, S., Faiz, M. S., & Khurshid, A. (2025). AI-assisted metacognitive strategies for improving self-regulated learning among high school students. The Critical Review of Social Sciences Studies, 3(2), 2333–2349. https://doi.org/10.59075/vk7et188 DOI: https://doi.org/10.59075/vk7et188
  23. Muraina, I. O., & Adesanya, O. (2024). Impact of AI-ChatGPT intervention on coding: NPL supportive approach to teaching and learning effectiveness. Journal of Educational Sciences, 8(3), 312–324.
  24. Muraina, I. O., Ayeni, G. A., Rahman, M. A., & Alawode, J. A. (2014). Insight from computer ergonomic towards health stability in information technology community. International Journal of Management, 3(7), 509–520.
  25. Murillo-Zamorano, L. R., López-Sánchez, J. Á., López-Rey, M. J., & Bueno-Muñoz, C. (2023). Gamification in higher education: The ECOn+ star battles. Computers & Education, 194, 104699. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.compedu.2022.104699 DOI: https://doi.org/10.1016/j.compedu.2022.104699
  26. O’Connor, Y., & Mahony, C. (2023). Augmented reality and academic self-efficacy. Computers in Human Behavior, 149, 107963. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.chb.2023.107963 DOI: https://doi.org/10.1016/j.chb.2023.107963
  27. Osemwegie, E. E., & Amadin, F. I. (2023). Student dropout prediction using machine learning. FUDMA Journal of Sciences, 7(6), 347–353. https://doi.org/10.33003/fjs-2023-0706-2103 DOI: https://doi.org/10.33003/fjs-2023-0706-2103
  28. Paliszkiewicz, J., & Gołuchowski, J. (2024). Trust and artificial intelligence: Development and application of AI technology. Routledge. DOI: https://doi.org/10.4324/9781032627236
  29. Paulino, P., Correia, S. V., Gonzalez, B., Mendes, T., & Albuquerque, S. (2025). Students at risk: Sociodemographic variables and university dropout. Educação & Realidade, 50, e143245. https://doi.org/10.1590/2175-6236143245vs02 DOI: https://doi.org/10.1590/2175-6236143245vs01
  30. Pranckutė, R. (2021). Web of Science and Scopus in academic research. Publications, 9(1), 12. https://doi.org/10.3390/publications9010012 DOI: https://doi.org/10.3390/publications9010012
  31. Salas-Pilco, S. Z., Xiao, K., & Oshima, J. (2022). Artificial intelligence and new technologies in inclusive education for minority students: A systematic review. Sustainability, 14(20), 13572. https://doi.org/10.3390/su142013572 DOI: https://doi.org/10.3390/su142013572
  32. Usher, M. (2025). Generative AI vs. instructor vs. peer assessments: A comparison of grading and feedback in higher education. Assessment & Evaluation in Higher Education, 50(6), 912–927. https://doi.org/10.1080/02602938.2025.2487495 DOI: https://doi.org/10.1080/02602938.2025.2487495
  33. Ward, B., Bhati, D., Neha, F., & Guercio, A. (2025). Analyzing the impact of AI tools on student study habits and academic performance. In 2025 IEEE 15th Annual Computing and Communication Workshop and Conference (CCWC) (pp. 434–440). IEEE. https://doi.org/10.1109/CCWC62904.2025.10903692 DOI: https://doi.org/10.1109/CCWC62904.2025.10903692
  34. Yaghoubi, E., Yaghoubi, E., Khamees, A., & Vakili, A. H. (2024). A systematic review and meta-analysis of artificial neural network, machine learning, deep learning, and ensemble learning approaches in the field of geotechnical engineering. Neural Computing and Applications, 36, 12655–12699. https://doi.org/10.1007/s00521-024-09893-7 DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s00521-024-09893-7
  35. Yang, A. C., Chen, I. Y., Flanagan, B., & Ogata, H. (2022). How students’ self-assessment behavior affects their online learning performance. Computers and Education: Artificial Intelligence, 3, 100058. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.caeai.2022.100058 DOI: https://doi.org/10.1016/j.caeai.2022.100058
  36. Zawacki-Richter, O., Marín, V. I., Bond, M., & Gouverneur, F. (2019). Systematic review of research on artificial intelligence applications in higher education. International Journal of Educational Technology in Higher Education, 16, Article 39. https://doi.org/10.1186/s41239-019-0171-0 DOI: https://doi.org/10.1186/s41239-019-0171-0

License

CCBY 4.0
Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 International

This work is openly licensed — share and adapt freely with attribution to the authors and the journal. View license terms ↗

Downloads

Download data is not yet available.
§ 06 — Related

Similar articles in this journal

Related peer-reviewed studies published in this journal.
View all issues