Application of Artificial Intelligence Tools for Social and Psychological Enhancement of Students with Autism Spectrum Disorder: A Systematic Review

Abstract

Background: Children with autism spectrum disorder (ASD) commonly experience persistent difficulties in social communication, emotional regulation, and social engagement. In recent years, artificial intelligence (AI)-based technologies, particularly socially assistive robots and intelligent sensing systems, have been explored as complementary tools to support psychosocial interventions in this population. Objective: This systematic review aimed to critically evaluate recent evidence on the effectiveness of AI-based interventions in improving social, emotional, and cognitive functioning in children with ASD. Methods: A systematic literature search was conducted in PubMed following PRISMA guidelines, targeting English-language studies published between 2020 and 2025. Eligible studies involved children with ASD and implemented AI-driven tools within therapeutic or educational settings. Eight studies met inclusion criteria and were analyzed using the PICO framework. Results: The reviewed interventions included humanoid and non-humanoid robots, gaze-tracking systems, and theory of mind-oriented applications. Across studies, AI-based interventions were associated with improvements in joint attention, social communication and reciprocity, emotion recognition and regulation, theory of mind, and task engagement. Outcomes were assessed using standardized behavioral measures, observational coding, parent or therapist reports, and physiological or sensor-based indices. However, the studies were characterized by small and heterogeneous samples, short intervention durations, and variability in outcome measures. Conclusions: Current evidence suggests that AI-based systems may serve as valuable adjuncts to conventional interventions for children with ASD, particularly for supporting structured social and emotional skill development. Nonetheless, methodological limitations and limited long-term data underscore the need for larger, multi-site trials with standardized protocols to better establish efficacy, generalizability, and ethical integration into clinical practice.