Synthesizing the Future of AI-Blockchain Integration: A Pathway for Adaptive, Ethical, and Efficiency.

Godwin Mandinyenya; Vusimuzi  Malele

Autores/as

Godwin Mandinyenya North-West University https://orcid.org/0009-0001-7659-4402
Vusimuzi Malele North-West University https://orcid.org/0000-0001-6803-9030

Palabras clave:

blockchain, artificial intelligence, smart contracts, consensus mechanisms, distributed ledger, deep learning, formal verification

Resumen

This study systematically examines the transformative role of Artificial Intelligence (AI) in addressing the persistent challenges of blockchain technology across protocols, smart contracts, and distributed ledger management. Although blockchain offers decentralization, immutability, and transparency, its broader adoption remains constrained by scalability limitations, security vulnerabilities, inefficient consensus mechanisms, and the complexity of contract design and auditing. The findings of this review demonstrate that AI provides promising solutions to these barriers. Reinforcement learning (RL) applied to Proof-of-Stake reduced consensus latency by 30-50%, while NLP-based smart contracts lowered vulnerabilities by up to 40%, though both approaches introduced new concerns related to energy overheads and auditability. In addition, intelligent algorithms enhance ledger efficiency and data analytics, supporting more scalable and secure transaction processing. Drawing on 28 peer-reviewed studies published between 2018 and 2024, and guided by the PRISMA 2020 framework, this paper synthesizes state-of-the-art research, maps sector-specific applications in finance, healthcare, and supply chain management, and highlights unresolved gaps in ethics, reproducibility, and regulatory compliance. Notably, only 12% of the reviewed studies validated their approaches on live networks underscoring the gap between simulation-driven research and real-world deployment. The discussion culminates in the AI–Blockchain Interaction Model (AIBIM), a conceptual framework that systematizes synergies across consensus, contract, and application layers. By integrating empirical insights with critical evaluation, this work emphasizes the interdisciplinary nature of AI–blockchain research and provides actionable directions for advancing decentralized, scalable, and ethically aligned systems. This synthesis provides actionable insights for developers, regulators, and researchers in deploying AI-blockchain systems across finance, healthcare, and supply chains.

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Biografía del autor/a

Godwin Mandinyenya, North-West University

Godwin Mandinyenya is a seasoned Computer Security Lecturer and IT Director with over a decade of experience in ICT governance, leadership, and emerging technologies. Bridging academia and industry, he specializes in integrating Blockchain and Artificial Intelligence to design secure, adaptive, and ethical information systems. Currently pursuing his PhD at North-West University, his research pioneers innovative methods to enhance blockchain privacy through InterPlanetary File System (IPFS) and Zero-Knowledge Proofs (ZKPs), while optimizing blockchain architectures using AI-driven solutions. His work aims to advance the synergy of Blockchain and AI, ensuring these technologies evolve as transparent, efficient, and socially responsible tools.
Vusimuzi Malele, North-West University

A senior researcher and Postgraduate supervisor at North-West University. An experienced engineer, teacher, research professional and manager with more than 25 years of experience in the ICT industry

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