Title: AI in agile: a systematic review of purposes, benefits, and challenges

Authors: Ruba Almuwayshir; Fazal-e-Amin

Addresses: Software Engineering Department, King Saud University, Riyadh 11564, Saudi Arabia ' Software Engineering Department, King Saud University, Riyadh 11564, Saudi Arabia

Abstract: Agile software development (ASD) is renowned for its flexibility, rapid iteration, and emphasis on user feedback. With the advent of Artificial Intelligence (AI), there is growing interest in exploring how AI can further enhance ASD practices. This systematic literature review (SLR) aims to identify AI applications that can help improve Agile processes. This study also investigates the integration of AI into ASD, focusing on its purposes, challenges, and opportunities. In a multi-phased process, 1784 documents were gathered and examined. Thirty-three papers satisfied the inclusion and quality assessment requirements. A total of six different AI applications were identified, of which machine learning (ML) was the one predominantly used. AI techniques' purposes, benefits, and challenges were identified and discussed. This review contributes to academic and practical discussions by comprehensively analysing current trends and future directions at the intersection of AI and Agile development.

Keywords: ASD; Agile software development; machine learning in agile; automation in agile processes; NLP in agile; agile processes.

DOI: 10.1504/IJASM.2026.154937

International Journal of Agile Systems and Management, 2026 Vol.19 No.3, pp.282 - 311

Received: 18 Sep 2024
Accepted: 10 Feb 2025
Published online: 20 Jul 2026 *

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