CONCEPTUAL FRAMEWORK FOR THE IMPLEMENTATION OF INCLUSIVE ARTIFICIAL INTELLIGENCE IN HIGHER EDUCATION

Abstract

The increasing use of Artificial Intelligence (AI) in higher education has expanded opportunities for personalized learning, although its implementation still faces challenges related to accessibility and neurodiversity. This study aimed to propose and conduct an initial evaluation of the Artificial Intelligence for Inclusive Education Framework (IAEI), developed to support the implementation of AI-based solutions in higher education. The research is characterized as applied research with a mixed-methods, exploratory, and descriptive approach, grounded in the principles of Design Science Research. The framework was developed based on the scientific literature and implemented as a responsive web platform integrating six dimensions, practical recommendations, a support checklist, and AI tools focused on inclusive education. The evaluation involved 17 senior Software Engineering students, who completed a problem-solving activity before and after using the framework and answered a Likert-scale questionnaire. The results indicated an increase in pedagogical strategies, greater diversity in the AI tools selected, and more well-founded justifications. It is concluded that the IAEI Framework has the potential to support more accessible, well-planned educational practices aligned with the needs of neurodivergent students.