When Generative Artificial Intelligence Meets Extended Reality: A Systematic Review

2025-09-30

International Journal of Human-Computer Interaction

AI Summary

This study addresses the lack of systematic synthesis in research on the integration of generative artificial intelligence (AIGC) and extended reality (XR). Adopting the PRISMA framework, it systematically reviews 26 high-quality publications from 2023–2025. Through a dual-dimensional analysis—spanning technological enablers and application domains—it clarifies AIGC’s technical implementation pathways and representative paradigms for three core XR tasks: content generation, interaction design, and scene construction. Key challenges—including cross-modal alignment, real-time performance guarantees, and human-factor adaptation—are identified, alongside critical research gaps. The work introduces, for the first time, an evolutionary taxonomy of generative XR technologies, proposes a “generation-perception-interaction” synergistic architecture, and outlines future directions: embodied intelligence integration, lightweight deployment, and trustworthy generation. Collectively, this provides a structured foundation for both theoretical advancement and industrial adoption.

Technology Category

• Humans and AI: Game Design — Procedural Content Generation & Storytelling
• Computer Vision: Generative Adversarial Networks (GANs) for Vision
• Natural Language Processing: Generation

Application Category

• Social Networks and Social Media: Generative AI / large language models and their impact on social systems
• Search and Retrieval-Augmented AI: Agentic search
• Economics, Online Markets and Human Computation: Economic ramifications for generative AI infrastructure and applications

Abstract

With the continuous advancement of technology, the application of generative artificial intelligence (AI) in various fields is gradually demonstrating great potential, particularly when combined with Extended Reality (XR), creating unprecedented possibilities. This survey article systematically reviews the applications of generative AI in XR, covering as much relevant literature as possible from 2023 to 2025. The application areas of generative AI in XR and its key technology implementations are summarised through PRISMA screening and analysis of the final 26 articles. The survey highlights existing articles from the last three years related to how XR utilises generative AI, providing insights into current trends and research gaps. We also explore potential opportunities for future research to further empower XR through generative AI, providing guidance and information for future generative XR research.

Problem

• Reviewing generative AI applications in Extended Reality systems
• Analyzing key technology implementations through literature screening
• Identifying research gaps and future opportunities in XR

Innovation

• Systematic review of generative AI in XR
• PRISMA screening of 26 recent articles
• Exploring future generative XR research opportunities