Interactive Learning Environments 2026
GenAI-agents in education: a systematic review of macro-level trends, educational roles, theoretical foundations and future agendas
Corresponding author: Chengliang Wang
DOI 10.1080/10494820.2026.2672562
First published online: 2026-05-26.
Research summary
This systematic review organizes research on generative-AI agents in education around macro-level trends, educational roles, theoretical foundations and future agendas. It provides a literature-synthesis entry point for examining how educational agents are conceptualized and studied across learning settings.
Study design.
Systematic review of GenAI agents in education.
Abstract
With the rapid advancement of Generative AI (GenAI), autonomous agents are increasingly integrated into education, yet research remains fragmented. Guided by the Educational Transformation Scenarios Framework, this review examines GenAI-agents in education across three interconnected levels: macro, meso, and micro. This study conducts a systematic literature review following PRISMA guidelines, analyzing 33 empirical studies (2022–2025) from Wos, IEEE, and Scopus. Findings reveal a surge in research since 2022, primarily in higher education using quasi-experimental designs. The study identifies four core educational agent roles: Cognitive-Epistemic, Self-Regulatory Support, Affective Support, and Human-AI Interaction Agents. These roles respectively foster higher-order thinking, self-regulated learning, socio-emotional competencies, and AI literacy. Furthermore, the theoretical foundations are synthesized into three domains: Cognitive and Learning, Motivational and Affective, and Pedagogical Knowledge and Technology Adoption. While GenAI-agents demonstrate multi-role collaborative potential, results suggest that future research must address trust, governance, contextual adaptation, and multi-agent ecosystems. By integrating existing empirical evidence, this review provides a comprehensive framework for understanding the educational value of GenAI-agents and offers a roadmap for their sustainable development within educational systems.
Research context
Which educational roles and theoretical foundations organize research on generative-AI agents?
Use this paper for literature reviews and research design concerning educational roles, theoretical framing and the development of GenAI agents.
GenAI agents · educational agents · systematic review · theoretical foundations
中文研究介绍
这项系统综述围绕宏观研究趋势、教育角色、理论基础与未来议程组织生成式AI智能体的教育研究，为梳理教育智能体的概念定位和研究路径提供文献入口。
Read and cite
Liu, X., Tang, Q., Wu, W., Chen, X., & Wang, C. (2026). GenAI-agents in education: a systematic review of macro-level trends, educational roles, theoretical foundations and future agendas. Interactive Learning Environments, 1-23. https://doi.org/10.1080/10494820.2026.2672562