Artificial Intelligence and Digital Humanities in Inclusive English Literature Education: Opportunities and Challenges for Learners with Special Educational Needs

Abstract

Artificial intelligence and digital humanities are increasingly reshaping inclusive English literature education by expanding access to texts, supporting interpretation, and enabling flexible forms of participation for learners with special educational needs. This article explored barriers to reading, writing, communication, sensory access and literary expression, and how these barriers could be lessened through the use of digital tools, assistive technologies, adaptive systems, generative applications and multimodal platforms. This paper reviews the publications on artificial intelligence, inclusive education, accessibility, disability, digital humanities and special educational needs from 2018-2025 using a structured integrative approach. The results showed that the following technologies can enhance access, engagement, independence, and creative participation: Text-to-speech systems, speech recognition, digital annotation, adaptive reading tools, augmented reality, automated feedback, and AI-assisted writing. These 21st-century tools facilitated differentiated instruction and enabled students to respond in a variety of ways: speaking, writing, using images, audio or digital story telling. Meanwhile, there were many concerns about the inequalities, biases, inaccuracies, privacy, data protection, teacher preparation, and excessive reliance on automated systems. It was clear that while technology was available, it was not sufficient for meaningful inclusion. Appropriate use depended on accessible design, continuous teacher engagement, ethical protection and safeguarding, institutional support, and congruence with explicit literary learning outcomes. There is a need for more classroom-based and participatory research with a variety of disability groups, educational levels, and low resource contexts. When used with and informed by human judgment, equity, and learner-centred practice, AI and digital humanities can enhance inclusive literary education.