Imagining the future of artificial intelligence in education

A review of social science fiction

Bibliographic Data

ID21785533
AuthorsIosif Gidiotis (0000-0002-4905-8209, KTH Royal Institute of Technology, corresponding author), Stefan Hrastinski (0000-0002-9984-6561, KTH Royal Institute of Technology)
Year2026
Volume51
Issue1
Pages35-47
Publication date2026-01-02
Open AccessYes
TypeARTICLE
VenueLearning Media and Technology (JOURNAL)
Journal identifiersISSN: 1743-9884 • E-ISSN: 1743-9892
PublisherInforma UK Limited (PUBLISHER • GB)
DOI10.1080/17439884.2024.2365829
OpenAlexW4399606002
LanguageEN
Citations received14
References cited47

In this article, we explore how the recently revived approach of social science fiction can be used as a creative and critical method to imagine and discuss the future of artificial intelligence in education (AIED). We review one hundred social science fiction stories written by researchers and analyse how they depict the potential role of AI in teaching and learning. Through a thematic analysis, we identify four main themes and several sub-themes that highlight the hopes and concerns that the researchers express for the future of AIED. Although the fictions present imaginative scenarios of anticipated AIED futures already present in the literature, they also feature creative illustrations of how such futures may materialise. We observe that social science fiction can be valuable in approaching the complex and uncertain landscape of AIED while stimulating reflection and dialogue. We conclude by suggesting some directions for further research and practice using this emerging approach of storytelling

Pedagogy · Science education · Sociology · Educational Games and Gamification · Ethics and Social Impacts of AI · Online Learning and Analytics · Psychology

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Open DOIOpen Access