The responsible Artificial Intelligence in higher education

Authors

DOI: https://doi.org/10.6018/rifop.699161
Keywords: Artificial Intelligence, responsible use, Higher Education, AI literacy, academic integrity

Supporting Agencies

  • Cátedra UAM-Founderz-Microsoft de Empleabilidad y Uso Responsable de la IA
  • Grupo de investigación Educación Digital e Innovación

Abstract

The rapid expansion of generative artificial intelligence (GAI) in higher education has driven new academic practices, but it has also created ethical, institutional, and pedagogical challenges that require a rigorous understanding of its responsible use. This study presents a systematized review of 47 articles published between 2023 and 2025 on the responsible use of GAI in university contexts. The results show a significant increase in publications during this period, a heterogeneous geographical distribution, and a predominance of descriptive studies focused on perceptions, attitudes, and gaps in AI literacy. Tensions related to academic integrity, algorithmic transparency, and the lack of clear institutional guidelines were also identified. From the analysis, the ABCE categorical system emerged, integrating attitudinal, behavioral, cognitive, and ethical dimensions, offering a useful conceptual framework to understand the complexity of responsible GAI use. Implications and lines of action for university policies and practices are discussed.

Downloads

Download data is not yet available.
Metrics
Views/Downloads
  • Abstract
    30
  • pdf (Español (España))
    8

References

Abuadas, M. & Albikawi, Z. (2025). AI ethical awareness and academic integrity in higher education: Development and validation of a new scale. Ethics & Behavior, 125-142. https://doi.org/10.1080/10508422.2025.2511336

Adewojo, A. A. (2025). Perspectives of academic librarians on ethical challenges of AI-based bibliometric tools: A Ghanaian case study. The Electronic Library. https://doi.org/10.1108/EL-05-2025-0166

Airaj, M. (2024). Ethical artificial intelligence for teaching–learning in higher education. Education and Information Technologies, 29(13), 17145–17167. https://doi.org/10.1007/s10639-024-12545-x

Al-Abdullatif, A. M. (2024). Modeling teachers' acceptance of generative AI: The role of AI literacy, intelligent TPACK, and perceived trust. Education Sciences, 14(11). https://doi.org/10.3390/educsci14111209

Al-Kumaim, N. H., Hassan, S. H., Al-Shami, S. A. & Alhazmi, A. K. (2025). Exploring generative AI usage patterns in universities: Towards sustainable practices and guidelines for responsible usage. International Journal of Technology in Education, 8(2). https://doi.org/10.46328/ijte.1045

Albannai, N. A. (2025). From classroom to boardroom: Ethical and cognitive implications of generative AI use among business students in business problem-solving. The International Journal of Management Education, 23(3). https://doi.org/10.1016/j.ijme.2025.101254

Almanea, M. (2024). Instructors’ and learners’ perspectives on using generative AI in higher education and its effect on academic integrity. Computer Assisted Language Learning. https://doi.org/10.1080/09588221.2024.2410158

Almassaad, A., Alajlan, H. & Alebaikan, R. (2024). Student perceptions of generative artificial intelligence in higher education: Benefits, limitations, risks, and challenges in higher education. Systems, 12(10). https://doi.org/10.3390/systems12100385

Alsharefeen, R. & Al Sayari, N. (2025). Examining academic integrity policy and practice in the era of AI: A case study of faculty perspectives. Frontiers in Education, 10. https://doi.org/10.3389/feduc.2025.1621743

Amigud, A. & Pell, D. J. (2025). Responsible and ethical use of AI in education: Square peg in a round hole? World, 6(2). https://doi.org/10.3390/world6020081

Aruleba, K., Sanusi, I. T., Obaido, G., Ogbuokiri, B. & Mienye, I. D. (2025). Learning with ChatGPT in computer science: Responsible use, metacognitive practices, and academic integrity. Technology, Knowledge and Learning. https://doi.org/10.1007/s10758-025-09899-7

Asghar, M. Z., Duah, K. A., Iqbal, J. & Järvenoja, H. (2025). Evidence from West Africa on the interplay of affective, behavioural, and cognitive dimensions of AI literacy in Ghanaian and Nigerian universities. Discover Computing, 28(1). https://doi.org/10.1007/s10791-025-09691-2

Chen, K., Tallant, A. C. & Selig, I. (2025). Exploring generative AI literacy: Use, evaluation and ethical perceptions. Information and Learning Sciences, 126(1), 132–148. https://doi.org/10.1108/ILS-10-2023-0160

Deng, X. F. & Joshi, K. D. (2024). Promoting ethical use of generative AI in education. DATA BASE for Advances in Information Systems, 55(3), 6–11. https://doi.org/10.1145/3685235.3685237

Deri, E., Frank, D. & Vukovic, D. (2025). Exploring the ethical implications of generative AI in higher education: Justice, fairness and rights. Informatics, 12(2). https://doi.org/10.3390/informatics12020036

Eagly, A. H. & Chaiken, S. (1993). The psychology of attitudes. Harcourt Brace Jovanovich.

Eldakar, M. A. M., Shehata, A. M. K. & Ammar, A. S. A. (2025). What motivates academics toward generative AI tools? An integrated ethical–social–technological model. Journal of Information Technology Education: Research, 41(3), 747–765. https://doi.org/10.1177/02666669251314859

European Parliament & Council of the European Union. (2024). Artificial Intelligence Act (EU Regulation 2024/…). Official Journal of the European Union. https://eur-lex.europa.eu/

Gonsalves, C. (2025). Addressing student non-compliance with assessment regulations in higher education: Challenges in the age of AI. Assessment and Evaluation in Higher Education, 50(4), 1-15. https://doi.org/10.1080/02602938.2024.2415654

Hsiao, C. H. & Tang, K. Y. (2025). Beyond acceptance: An empirical study on technological, ethical, social and individual determinants of GenAI-supported learning in higher education. Education and Information Technologies, 30(8), 10725-10750. https://doi.org/10.1007/s10639-024-13263-0

Kofinas, A., et al. (2025). Academic integrity challenges in higher education in the age of generative AI. Education and Information Technologies. https://doi.org/10.1007/s10639-024-12507-3

Kumar, P., Mastana, A. S., Rungruengarporn, C. & Chantokul, D. (2025). The potential impact of generative AI on the future of higher education: A game-changer or a danger to academic integrity. International Journal of Evaluation and Research in Education, 14(3), 1731–1742. https://doi.org/10.11591/ijere.v14i3.32148

Liang, J., Stephens, J. M. & Brown, G. T. L. (2025). Asystematic review of the early impact of artificial intelligence on higher education curriculum, instruction, and assessment. Frontiers in Education, 10,1522841. https://doi.org/10.3389/feduc.2025.1522841

Lu, W. K. & Lin, C. H. (2025). How do artificial intelligence literacy and experience shape attitudes and behavioral intentions? A study of university non-expert students. Education and Information Technologies, 30(10), 13779–13805. https://doi.org/10.1007/s10639-025-13323-z

Maxwell, D., Oyarzun, B., Kim, S. & Bong, J. Y. (2025). Generative AI in higher education: Perceived readiness, benefits, and challenges. TechTrends, 69(6). https://doi.org/10.1007/s11528-025-01109-6

Nwagbara, U. U. (2025). From curiosity to dependency: Nigerian students’ trajectories of generative AI integration in academic research. Ethics and Education, 23(4), 2051–2068. https://doi.org/10.1007/s10805-025-09641-z

OECD. (2019). OECD principles on artificial intelligence. OECD Publishing. https://oecd.ai/en/ai-principles

Qian, Y. (2025). Pedagogical applications of generative AI in higher education: A systematic review of the field. Tech Trends, 69, 1105-1120. https://doi.org/10.1007/s11528-025-01100-1

Plecerda, L. P. (2024). Academic integrity surrounding the use of generative AI in higher education: Lenses from ICT college students. Journal of Educational and Social Psychology, 9(12). https://doi.org/10.59429/esp.v9i12.3177

Rughinis, C., Vulpe, S. N., Turcanu, D. & Rughinis, R. (2025). AI at the knowledge gates: Institutional policies and hybrid configurations in universities and publishers. Frontiers in Computer Science, 7. https://doi.org/10.3389/fcomp.2025.1608276

Smith, S. M., Tate, M., Freeman, K., Walsh, A., Ballsun-Stanton, B., Hooper, M. & Lane, M. (2025). A university framework for the responsible use of generative AI in research. Tertiary Education and Management. https://doi.org/10.1080/1360080X.2025.2509187

Spivakovsky, O., Omelchuk, S., Kobets, V., Poltoratskyi, M., Malchykova, D. & Lemeshchuk, O. (2025). Institutional regulation of AI-based services through the KANO model: The case of Kherson State University. Information Technologies and Learning Tools, 108(4). https://doi.org/10.33407/itlt.v108i4.6269

Subaveerapandiyan, A., Kalbande, D. & Ahmad, N. (2025). Perceptions of transparency and disclosure in generative AI use: A study among PhD scholars in India. Journal of Information Technology Education: Research, 41(3), 728–746. https://doi.org/10.1177/02666669251314840

Subhani, F., Khan, S. A., Sandhu, M. A. & Shahzad, M. F. (2025). What factors explain adoption intention and actual use of ChatGPT? The moderating role of academic integrity. TechTrends, 69(5), 1056–1071. https://doi.org/10.1007/s11528-025-01096-8

Swidan, A., Lee, S. Y. & Romdhane, S. B. (2025). College students’ use and perceptions of AI tools in the UAE: Training needs and institutional guidelines. Education Sciences, 15(4). https://doi.org/10.3390/educsci15040461

Tan, M. X. Y., Qu, Y. & Wang, J. (2025). Student perceptions of generative AI regulations in higher education: A mixed-methods study. Higher Education Quarterly, 79(3). https://doi.org/10.1111/hequ.70038

Tong, S. T., Detone, A., Frederick, A. & Odebiyi, S. (2025). What are instructors’ generative AI syllabi policies? Variation and challenges. Communication Education, 74(3), 261–282. https://doi.org/10.1080/03634523.2025.2477479

UNESCO. (2021). Recomendación sobre la Ética de la Inteligencia Artificial. UNESCO. https://unesdoc.unesco.org/ark:/48223/pf0000377897

Wang, C., Wang, H., Li, Y., Dai, J., Gu, X. & Yu, T. (2025). Factors influencing university students’ behavioral intention to use generative AI: An extended theory of planned behavior and AI literacy model. Behaviour and Information Technology, 41(11), 6649–6671. https://doi.org/10.1080/10447318.2024.2383033

Wu, Y. B., Lin, Y. F., Liu, Y. Y. & Yang, Y. R. (2025). A survey on the current status of AI literacy lectures in university libraries under the AIGC background. The Journal of Academic Librarianship, 51(5). https://doi.org/10.1016/j.acalib.2025.103111

Zhang, X. Q., Zhang, J. B. & Oubibi, M. (2025). Effects of Chinese college students’ perceptions of ChatGPT on academic integrity attitudes and intention to disclose AI-generated outputs: A moderated mediation model. Ethics and Education, 23(4), 1709–1728. https://doi.org/10.1007/s10805-025-09622-2

Published
30-04-2026
How to Cite
Gómez-García, M., Agulera-Meza, C., Cavanna Gómez, A., & Garcia-Milà, P. (2026). The responsible Artificial Intelligence in higher education. Revista Interuniversitaria De Formación Del Profesorado, 40(1), 73–89. https://doi.org/10.6018/rifop.699161