The widespread integration of artificial intelligence (AI) in education has highlighted its potential to enhance students’ higher-order competencies, particularly the 4C skills (critical thinking, communication, collaboration, and creativity). However, the effectiveness of AI in fostering these skills remains debated, primarily due to inconsistent findings across studies. To address this research gap, this study employs the meta-analysis method, analyzing 39 experimental and quasi-experimental studies published in international journals between January 2010 and July 2024. The results reveal that: (1) AI has a moderately positive impact on students’ 4C skills (the combined effect size = 0.624), while there is no significant difference in creativity, critical thinking, communication, and collaboration; (2) AI-based learning tools are most effective in enhancing the 4C skills of primary school students compared to other educational levels; (3) a mix of different technology types is more conducive to developing students’ 4C skills than any single technology; (4) AI is most effective in fostering 4C skills when applied in adaptive systems and personalization; (5) smartphones, as AI learning devices, show significant potential in promoting 4C skills.
