While the global South universities have made significant strides in adopting digital technologies, there remain huge gaps, particularly when it comes to the acceptance of artificial intelligence (AI) in institutions of higher learning. As such, this study sought to explore global South academics’ reported AI-related challenges in the language education domain from published literature. To achieve this, the researchers employed a literature review methodology which entailed meticulous searches for published literature using key words. The challenges reported in literature revealed four broad challenges namely limited language options, academic dishonesty, biases and lack of accountability, and laziness among students and lecturers. Based on these findings, the study recommended that there be an urgent prioritisation of the development of AI-based language education tools that are specifically tailored to the needs and contexts of learners in the global South. The study also recommended the development of accessible and affordable AI-based language education tools, that will promote the development of digital literacy skills among educators and learners in the global South.

E-learning has become a standard dialect nationally and internationally, particularly during the COVID-19 context. During the lockdown period in South Africa, e-learning, which was experienced differently by different Higher Education Institutions and students, became one of the preferred ways students could access learning. Therefore, e-learning as a vehicle for quality education became a human rights issue in the Higher Education space. Consequently, literature seems to imply that lack of access to e-learning, internet laptops and smartphone connectivity and online gadgets may be an exclusionary learning factor for the majority of students. Underpinned by Engestrom Activity Theory, this qualitative study used telephonic assisted open-ended interviews to provide the four selected Bachelor of Education students with the opportunity to share their experiences on how they have experienced the use of e-learning in a South African university. It emerged from the data that even the students from the same institution had varied experiences in terms of e-learning. Furthermore, the findings revealed that students’ social realm, such as internet connectivity and lack of online gadgets such as laptops and smartphones influenced their e-learning. This study concludes that the students’ experiences suggest that the university should respond to the students’ contextual factors and make appropriate sustainable teaching and learning plans post-COVID-19 era. Keywords: E-learning, Learning experiences, Diversity, Learning tools, Teaching and learning