Bridging Educational Gaps: The Role of AI and Social Media in Enhancing Access to Quality Education in Under-privileged Communities

Abstract

This research examines the contribution of AI-based personalized learning and social media-based educational resources to bridging educational inequalities in disadvantaged communities in Pakistan. Guided by a quantitative study design, the research administered a survey to 339 teachers of private universities in different provinces of Pakistan using snowball sampling methods for data collection. Self-administered questionnaires were employed for data collection, and multiple regression and correlation tests were applied to test the correlation between AI-based personalized learning, academic performance, and the contribution of social media-based educational resources. The findings established a high positive correlation between AI-based personalized learning and academic performance (r = 0.612, p < 0.01) and social media-based educational resources playing a significant role in enhancing the academic performance of students in rural areas. An ANOVA test also revealed that the digital divide moderates the potential of AI and social media in education (F = 9.13, p < 0.01). The findings recognize the promising contribution of AI and social media to facilitating educational access and performance but also underscore digital disparities challenges. The research recommends targeted investment in digital infrastructure, digital literacy, and the ethical integration of AI technologies as key to promoting equitable educational opportunity.