ARTIFICIAL INTELLIGENCE IN MICRO-CREDENTIALS FOR OPEN AND DISTANCE LEARNING: A TECHNOLOGICALLY ENHANCED SYSTEMATIC REVIEW

Micro-credentials are increasingly meeting the growing need for a flexible workforce and are particularly well suited to the open and distance learning (ODL) environment. While artificial intelligence (AI) is driving educational advancements, its integration into micro-credentials for ODL remains fragmented, hindering further growth. This research seeks to address this issue through a systematic review using specialised software to comprehensively analyse the relevant literature. Employing a hybrid approach that combines bibliometric and thematic analyses, this study examines 46 articles on AI’s role in micro-credentials within ODL contexts. This review identifies significant research gaps and offers suggestions for future directions in this emerging field. The findings provide valuable, updated insights with theoretical and practical implications. For industry practitioners, the review serves as a comprehensive resource, helping to bridge the gap between academic research and real-world applications. Ultimately, this study contributes to the existing body of knowledge and paves the way for further exploration of AI integration into micro-credentials in ODL, thus offering new opportunities for future research and development.