Governance and ethics of artificial intelligence in higher education: systematic review

Authors

DOI:

https://doi.org/10.63688/xvkssm25

Keywords:

artificial intelligence, higher education, ethics, governance

Abstract

This study analyzes the governance and ethics of artificial intelligence in higher education based on a systematic review of the recent scientific literature. The research was developed under the PRISMA 2020 guidelines, considering publications indexed in Scopus and Web of Science between 2020 and 2026. From an initial search of 60 studies, 30 articles were selected that met criteria of relevance, quality, and thematic relevance. The analysis was structured in three main lines: institutional governance and regulation, ethical dimensions and associated risks, and educational transformations along with emerging perspectives. The results show that, although artificial intelligence has generated significant advances in the personalization of learning and educational efficiency, its implementation has been developed in many cases without solid regulatory frameworks. It also identifies growing concerns around data use, privacy, transparency, and potential surveillance risks in digitized educational environments. On the other hand, the emergence of generative technologies has transformed the dynamics of teaching and assessment, posing new challenges for academic integrity. It is concluded that the integration of artificial intelligence in higher education requires the development of more robust governance models, accompanied by clear ethical principles and pedagogical strategies that guarantee a responsible, equitable and oriented use of the training process.

References

Adamakis, M., & Rachiotis, T. (2025). Artificial intelligence in higher education: A state-of-the-art overview of pedagogical integrity, artificial intelligence literacy, and policy integration. Encyclopedia, 5(4), 180. https://doi.org/10.3390/encyclopedia5040180

Alarcón Belmonte, I., et al. (2025). Determinantes digitales de salud. Atención Primaria, 57(10). https://doi.org/10.1016/j.aprim.2025.103311

Ali, O., Murray, P. A., Momin, M., Dwivedi, Y. K., & Malik, T. (2024). The effects of artificial intelligence applications in educational settings: Challenges and strategies. Technological Forecasting and Social Change, 199, 123076. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.techfore.2023.123076

Alshatti Schmidt, D., et al. (2025). Integrating artificial intelligence in higher education: Perceptions, challenges, and strategies for academic innovation. Computers and Education Open, 9, 100274. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.caeo.2025.100274

Altakhaineh, A. R. M., et al. (2026). Integrating artificial intelligence to enhance inclusive education. Acta Psychologica, 263, 106252. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.actpsy.2026.106252

Ansari, S., & Qamari, I. (2025). Artificial intelligence and student cognitive outcomes in higher education. Discover Education, 4. https://doi.org/10.1007/s44217-025-00865-0

Arellano, W. (2024). Neuroderechos y su regulación. Inteligencia Artificial, 27(73), 4–13. https://doi.org/10.4114/intartif.vol27iss73pp4-13

Bagane, P., et al. (2026). Artificial intelligence mental health applications with privacy-preserving architectures. MethodsX, 16, 103756. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.mex.2025.103756

Berger, S., & Rossi, F. (2022). Addressing neuroethics issues in artificial intelligence companies. Neuron, 110(13). https://doi.org/10.1016/j.neuron.2022.05.006

Cornejo, Y. (2024). Neurorights and mental autonomy. Journal of Digital Technologies and Law, 2(3). https://doi.org/10.21202/jdtl.2024.36

Cortina, A., & Conill, J. (2019). Bioética y neuroética. Arbor, 195(792). https://doi.org/10.3989/arbor.2019.792n2004

Daly, T. (2025). Brain health is a human right. Neuroscience, 569. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.neuroscience.2025.01.063

Eke, D. (2024). Ethics and governance of neurotechnology in Africa. JMIR Neurotechnology, 3. https://doi.org/10.2196/56665

Fukushi, T. (2024). Responsible innovation in neurotechnology. IBRO Neuroscience Reports, 16. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.ibneur.2024.04.009

Fütterer, T., et al. (2025). Artificial intelligence in classroom management: A systematic review. Computers and Education: Artificial Intelligence, 9, 100483. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.caeai.2025.100483

Gourlay, L. (2024). Surveillance and datafication in higher education. Postdigital Science and Education, 6(4), 1039–1048. https://doi.org/10.1007/s42438-022-00352-x

Granado De la Cruz, E., Gago-Valiente, F., Gavín-Chocano, Ó., & Pérez-Navío, E. (2025). Education, neuroscience, and technology: A review of applied models. Information, 16(8), 664. https://doi.org/10.3390/info16080664

Hamilton, J., et al. (2026). Generative artificial intelligence in higher education: A scoping review. Nurse Education in Practice, 90, 104669. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.nepr.2025.104669

Hernandez-de-Menendez, M., Morales-Menendez, R., Escobar, C., & Arinez, J. (2021). Biometric applications in education. International Journal on Interactive Design and Manufacturing, 15(2–3). https://doi.org/10.1007/s12008-021-00760-6

Ienca, M., & Andorno, R. (2017). Towards new human rights in the age of neuroscience and neurotechnology. Life Sciences, Society and Policy, 13(1). https://doi.org/10.1186/s40504-017-0050-1

Ienca, M., Fins, J., Jox, R., et al. (2022). Towards a governance framework for brain data. Neuroethics, 15(2). https://doi.org/10.1007/s12152-022-09498-8

Magee, P., Ienca, M., & Farahany, N. (2024). Beyond neural data: Cognitive biometrics and mental privacy. Neuron, 112(18), 3017–3028. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.neuron.2024.09.004

Mandava, V., Rokem, A., Cristea, N., et al. (2025). Open-source data standards for neuroscience. Patterns, 6(7). https://doi.org/10.1016/j.patter.2025.101316

Memarian, B., & Doleck, T. (2023). FATE in artificial intelligence and higher education: A systematic review. Computers and Education: Artificial Intelligence, 5, 100152. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.caeai.2023.100152

Pargman, T. C., & McGrath, C. (2021). Mapping the ethics of learning analytics in higher education: A systematic literature review. Journal of Learning Analytics, 8(2), 123–139. https://doi.org/10.18608/jla.2021.1

Parker, L., Halter, V., Karliychuk, T., & Grundy, Q. (2019). Mental health app privacy policies. International Journal of Law and Psychiatry, 64. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.ijlp.2019.04.002

Prinsloo, P., & Slade, S. (2015). Student privacy self-management. In Proceedings of the Fifth International Conference on Learning Analytics and Knowledge (pp. 83–92). https://doi.org/10.1145/2723576.2723585

Qiu, Y., & Zhang, C. (2024). Artificial intelligence driven cognitive optimization using privacy-based machine learning. Computers and Electrical Engineering, 117, 109238. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.compeleceng.2024.109238

Rana, M. M., Siddiqee, M. S., Sakib, M. N., & Ahamed, M. R. (2024). Assessing artificial intelligence adoption in developing country academia. Heliyon, 10(18), e37569. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.heliyon.2024.e37569

Sahar, R., & Munawaroh, M. (2025). Artificial intelligence in higher education: A bibliometric research agenda. Discover Sustainability, 6. https://doi.org/10.1007/s43621-025-01086-z

Published

2026-04-25

How to Cite

Estrada Ardon, M. N. (2026). Governance and ethics of artificial intelligence in higher education: systematic review. Sage Sphere Multidisciplinary Studies, 3(1), 1-15. https://doi.org/10.63688/xvkssm25