AI in Education and Online Learning - Educational Leadership for Human-Centred Digital and Artificial Intelligence Transformation
Abstract
This study presents a systematic literature review (SLR) guided by the PRISMA 2020 protocol to synthesize the role of educational leadership in driving digital transformation and the adoption of artificial intelligence (AI) toward human-centered development in both traditional and open and distributed learning (ODL) environments. Drawing on 15 peer-reviewed studies (2018–2024), the findings reveal that leadership serves as a pivotal mediator between technological innovation and equitable educational outcomes. Three thematic pathways emerged: (1) leadership competence for AI integration, which determines institutional readiness and ethical governance; (2) human capacity building, where teacher digital literacy and pedagogical redesign translate technology into meaningful learning; and (3) ethical and inclusive AI practices that safeguard transparency, fairness, and accessibility. The study advances a Human-Centred AI Leadership Framework that integrates four domains—educational leadership, digital transformation, AI integration, and human development—within ODL ecosystems. Conceptually, it extends transformational and distributed leadership theories to socio-technical and ethical dimensions. In practice, it provides policy guidance for embedding AI governance, teacher professional development, and equity-driven digital strategies within national and institutional systems. The review highlights that the future of AI in education hinges not on automation but on leadership that combines technology with humanity.
Keywords
References
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