Can Artificial Intelligence and Virtual Reality Help Improve Social Skills in Children with Autism Spectrum Disorder?

Autism is a developmental disorder that can impede a child’s communication, social interaction and behavioral skills. Children with autism may have difficulty recognizing emotional expressions and understanding social cues. Traditional therapy and educational programs for children with autism help them develop skills such as communication, emotional recognition, eye contact and social interaction. With the advancement of technology, researchers are constantly searching for new technologies to provide additional support to children with autism. Technology can improve the overall learning process for autistic children by making it more structured, interactive and personalized. The purpose of this paper is to compare the use of artificial intelligence (AI) and virtual reality (VR) technologies for the development of social and communication skills in children with autism. The study uses a literature-based comparative case study approach to examine current technologies and their four different applications including the Floreo virtual reality platform, the Milo social robot, Proloquo2Go and other accessibility tools, and virtual reality job-interview training programs. The case studies are analyzed using the same criteria to compare how the technologies work, their social and educational outcomes, and their major limitations. The findings show that AI and VR can provide structured and controlled environments where autistic learners can repeatedly practice communication, emotional recognition and social interaction skills. However, cost, unequal access, the need for training and privacy concerns remain important barriers. Although these technologies may not replace human interaction, they can be useful complementary tools in autism education and support.