Is Personalization the Future of User Interfaces? A Systematic Mapping and Review

Abstract

The rapid advancement of technology has accelerated a significant shift in the design of user interfaces (VIs), moving from generic, one-fits-all solutions to personalized experiences tailored to individual user needs and preferences. This systematic mapping and review study explores the traj ectory towards future interfaces by examining literature published between January 1, 2014 and May 15, 2025 from databases including IEEE Xplore, Google Scholar, ACM Digital Library, Scopus, SpringerLink, and Taylor & Francis. As result, a total of 384 studies were analyzed to classify papers by domain, method, purpose, evaluation, UI modality, and UI trigger to address research question on trends, methodologies, and gaps. The findings indicate a pronounced movement towards personalization in various ways, driven by advancements in artificial intelligence (AI), big data analytics, and user-centric design principles. However, challenges such as privacy concerns, ethical considerations, and potential biases in algorithms present significant hurdles. This study highlights the need for interdisciplinary efforts to address these challenges and points to possible directions for future HCI investigations to ensure that personalized interfaces are inclusive, ethical, and user centric.