Advancing student mental health through AI-assisted group counseling in smart schools: A literature review
Abstract
Artificial intelligence (AI), educational data analytics, and digital mental health technologies are rapidly transforming educational environments and creating new opportunities for student psychological support. Although substantial research has examined AI applications in education and mental health, limited attention has been devoted to the integration of AI-assisted group counseling within smart educational environments. This narrative literature review examines the role of artificial intelligence and educational data ecosystems in enhancing digital psychological support and group counseling in smart schools. Relevant studies were identified through major academic databases and synthesized using a thematic review approach. The analysis revealed three major themes: (1) emerging AI technologies for educational mental health, (2) AI-enhanced school counseling and group counseling, and (3) data-driven psychological support, ethical challenges, and governance considerations. The findings suggest that AI technologies, including machine learning, large language models, conversational AI, and educational analytics, can support psychological assessment, early identification of student needs, intervention planning, psychoeducation, and counseling decision-making. Emerging evidence also indicates that AI-assisted group counseling may enhance peer support, engagement, self-reflection, and student well-being through collaborative and data-informed interventions. Despite these opportunities, important concerns remain regarding privacy, transparency, explainability, algorithmic fairness, accountability, and human oversight. Based on the reviewed literature, this study proposes an Integrated Human-Centered Framework for AI-Assisted Group Counseling in Smart Schools that connects educational data ecosystems, AI-powered support systems, counseling processes, ethical governance, and student well-being outcomes. The review highlights the importance of human–AI collaboration and provides directions for future research and practice in AI-enabled educational mental health services.