Architecting Intelligence: A Review of Artificial Intelligence's Role in the Design and Development of Information Systems

Abstract

The integration of Artificial Intelligence (AI) into Information Technology, particularly within Information Systems (IS), represents a paradigm shift from systems that simply store and retrieve data to intelligent, adaptive, and predictive infrastructures. This paper reviews research published between 2019 and 2025 to examine AI's role in modern information systems design and development. We analyse 97 peer-reviewed articles drawn from systematic syntheses across accounting information systems, geographic information systems, digital assistant technologies, and general IS architecture research. Our findings identify four thematic clusters in the literature: (1) foundational AI technologies (machine learning, natural language processing, generative models, and computer vision) being integrated into IS architectures; (2) architectural transformations including intelligent automation, multi-agent systems, and retrieval-augmented generation frameworks; (3) governance evolution from traditional data governance to comprehensive AI governance frameworks addressing explainability, bias detection, and drift monitoring; and (4) implementation challenges spanning algorithmic bias, data governance complexity, technical preparedness gaps, and ethical deployment concerns. The review shows that AI-driven IS significantly enhance operational efficiency, data processing accuracy, and real-time decision-making, yet current research still leaves persistent challenges unaddressed. We conclude by proposing a strategic framework for designing resilient and ethical AI-augmented IS that synthesises insights from six pillars of AI governance architecture, emphasising the necessity of human oversight and interdisciplinary collaboration. This paper contributes a synthesised overview of the field, offering a roadmap for researchers and practitioners navigating the convergence of AI and information technology.