Abstract:

Generative Artificial Intelligence (AI) has become one of the most influential emerging technologies in education, transforming how learning experiences are designed, delivered and supported. Tools such as ChatGPT, educational chatbots, intelligent tutors and automated feedback systems are rapidly changing the landscape of Technology-Enhanced Learning. As these systems expand across virtual learning environments, mobile learning applications and online assessment platforms, they accelerate the transition from the principles of Education 4.0 toward the human-centred vision of Education 5.0. This shift brings new opportunities for personalisation and meaningful learning, including support for critical thinking, communication, collaboration and creativity, commonly referred to as the 4C skills.

Recent studies highlight a wide range of impacts of AI on teaching and learning. Positive effects include improved engagement, personalised pacing, enhanced feedback, and new forms of creative and collaborative learning. However, the literature also reports important risks, such as plagiarism, superficial learning, misinformation generated by chatbots, unequal access to AI tools, and limited readiness among educators to integrate these technologies responsibly. Although research on AI in education is expanding rapidly, findings remain scattered across different tools, educational levels and methodological approaches. As a result, there is still no consolidated view of how AI is transforming the development of 4C skills, the role of teachers, or the broader shift toward Education 5.0.

This paper addresses this gap by conducting a critical review of recent research on the impact of AI, chatbots and generative systems in education. Its purpose is to organise and synthesise the documented effects of these technologies, identify the recurring challenges and research gaps, and clarify the priority questions that future studies should explore. The contribution of this work is to offer a coherent understanding of how emerging AI technologies are reshaping learning environments and to support researchers and practitioners navigating this rapidly evolving field.

Keywords:

Artificial Intelligence (AI), Generative AI, Educational Chatbots, ChatGPT, Technology-Enhanced Learning, 4C Skills, Education 5.0.