Rethinking the adoption of artificial intelligence in higher education: : a bibliometric study of barriers, ethical issues, and governance challenges

Afafe ELAMRANI ELHASSANI; Ayoub OULAMINE; Fatima ELBARHOUMI

doi:10.23882/ijdam.25216

Autores/as

Afafe ELAMRANI ELHASSANI Faculty of Legal, Economic and Social Sciences of Ait Melloul, Ibn Zohr University, Morocco
Ayoub OULAMINE Faculty of Legal, Economic and Social Sciences of Agadir, Ibn Zohr University, Morocco
Fatima ELBARHOUMI Ibn Zohr University, Agadir, Morocco.

DOI:

https://doi.org/10.23882/ijdam.25216

Palabras clave:

Inteligencia artificial, Educación superior, Análisis bibliométrico, Gobernanza, Ética

Resumen

Cet article présente une analyse bibliométrique des recherches récentes sur l'intégration de l'intelligence artificielle (IA) dans l'éducation supérieure, avec une attention particulière aux obstacles rencontrés, aux dilemmes éthiques plantés et aux questions de gouvernance associées. L'étude se base sur un corpus de 803 articles révisés par les pairs extrais de la base de données Web of Science pour la période 2020-2024. L'analyse est effectuée en utilisant les outils VOSviewer et Biblioshiny, qui identifient les mots-clés qui apparaissent avec la plus grande fréquence, les principaux contributeurs, les réseaux de collaboration mondiaux et les groupes thématiques structurels.
Les résultats sont susceptibles de soulager un fort intérêt pour les modèles d'acceptation de la technologie (en particulier, UTAUT et TAM) et l'intégration pédagogique de l'IA. Sans embargo, il existe plusieurs lagunes critiques, en particulier en ce qui concerne la protection des données personnelles, le session algorithmique, le droit aux valeurs normatives solides et l'infrareprésentation des pays dans le développement des publications scientifiques et des réseaux de collaboration académique. L’étude a souligné l’importance de renforcer les mécanismes de gouvernance éthiques, de développer des politiques inclusives pour contribuer à la croissance de l’IA dans le monde et promouvoir des associations scientifiques plus équilibrées au niveau international.

Citas

Almenar, R., Tricco, G., Ayers, K., Ben Moussa, R., Graham, T., Iyiola, S., Lee, S., Nemcova, T., Joshua Opota, A., Sharma, T., Toh, R., & Yuan, J. (2024). The Protection of AI-Based Space Systems from a Data-Driven Governance Perspective. IISL Colloquium on the Law of Outer Space, 238‑263. https://doi.org/10.52202/078384-0024

Aria, M., & Cuccurullo, C. (2017). bibliometrix : An R-tool for comprehensive science mapping analysis. Journal of Informetrics, 11(4), 959 975. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.joi.2017.08.007

Benatiya Andaloussi, M. (2024). A Bibliometric Literature Review of Digital Supply Chain : Trends, Insights, and Future Directions. Sage Open, 14(2), 21582440241240340. https://doi.org/10.1177/21582440241240340

Bouhazzama, M., & Guenaoui, A. (s. d.). THE MOROCCAN WOMEN’S COOPERATIVE IN RESPONSE TO LASTING IMPACTS: SOCIAL COHESION, SOLIDARITY AND INCLUSION.

Chan, C., & Colloton, T. (2024). Generative AI in Higher Education : The ChatGPT Effect. https://doi.org/10.4324/9781003459026

Chan, C. K. Y., & Hu, W. (2023). Students’ voices on generative AI : Perceptions, benefits, and challenges in higher education. International Journal of Educational Technology in Higher Education, 20(1), 43. https://doi.org/10.1186/s41239-023-00411-8

Cobo, M. j., López-Herrera, A. g., Herrera-Viedma, E., & Herrera, F. (2011). Science mapping software tools : Review, analysis, and cooperative study among tools. Journal of the American Society for Information Science and Technology, 62(7), 1382 1402. https://doi.org/10.1002/asi.21525

Donthu, N., Kumar, S., Mukherjee, D., Pandey, N., & Lim, W. M. (2021). How to conduct a bibliometric analysis : An overview and guidelines. Journal of Business Research, 133, 285 296. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jbusres.2021.04.070

Dwivedi, Y. K., Hughes, L., Ismagilova, E., Aarts, G., Coombs, C., Crick, T., Duan, Y., Dwivedi, R., Edwards, J., Eirug, A., Galanos, V., Ilavarasan, P. V., Janssen, M., Jones, P., Kar, A. K., Kizgin, H., Kronemann, B., Lal, B., Lucini, B., … Williams, M. D. (2021). Artificial Intelligence (AI) : Multidisciplinary perspectives on emerging challenges, opportunities, and agenda for research, practice and policy. International Journal of Information Management, 57, 101994. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.ijinfomgt.2019.08.002

Dwivedi, Y. K., Sharma, A., Rana, N. P., Giannakis, M., Goel, P., & Dutot, V. (2023). Evolution of Artificial Intelligence Research in Technological Forecasting and Social Change: Research Topics, Trends, and Future Directions. Technological Forecasting and Social Change, 192, Article ID: 122579.

https://doi.org/10.1016/j.techfore.2023.122579

EL Gareh, F., Elmenssouri, A., Oulamine, A., & Hussain, Z. (2025). A PRISMA-Based Systematic Review on Organizational Commitment and Logistic Performance. In Knowledge Sharing and Fostering Collaborative Business Culture (p. 213‑240). IGI Global Scientific Publishing. https://doi.org/10.4018/979-8-3373-0710-7.ch012

Kumar, S., Rao, P., Singhania, S., Verma, S., & Kheterpal, M. (2024). Will artificial intelligence drive the advancements in higher education? A tri-phased exploration. Technological Forecasting and Social Change, 201, 123258. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.techfore.2024.123258

Leite, H. (2025). Artificial intelligence in higher education : Research notes from a longitudinal study. Technological Forecasting and Social Change, 215, 124115. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.techfore.2025.124115

Matos, T., Santos, W., Zdravevski, E., Coelho, P. J., Pires, I. M., & Madeira, F. (2025). A systematic review of artificial intelligence applications in education : Emerging trends and challenges. Decision Analytics Journal, 15, 100571. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.dajour.2025.100571

Mienye, I. D., & Swart, T. G. (2025). ChatGPT in Education : A Review of Ethical Challenges and Approaches to Enhancing Transparency and Privacy. Procedia Computer Science, 254, 181‑190. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.procs.2025.02.077

Mohsin Khan, M., Shah, N., Shaikh, N., Thabet, A., Alrabayah, T., & Belkhair, S. (2025). Towards secure and trusted AI in healthcare : A systematic review of emerging innovations and ethical challenges. International Journal of Medical Informatics, 195, 105780. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.ijmedinf.2024.105780

Oulamine, A., Hattabou, A., El Gareh, F., & Ray, A. (2024). University Students’ Perceptions of e-Learning Barriers in Morocco : A Qualitative Exploratory Study. Ubiquitous Learning, 18(1), 27.

Oulamine, A., Hattabou, A., Ray, A., Gareh, F. E., & Alourhzal, H. (2025). Exploring barriers affecting e-learning usage intentions among Moroccan university students. International Journal of Management in Education, 19(2), 186‑211. https://doi.org/10.1504/IJMIE.2025.144727

Oncioiu, I., & Bularca, A. R. (2025). Artificial Intelligence Governance in Higher Education: The Role of Knowledge-Based Strategies in Fostering Legal Awareness and Ethical Artificial Intelligence Literacy. Societies, 15(6), 144. https://doi.org/10.3390/soc15060144

Page, M. J., McKenzie, J. E., Bossuyt, P. M., Boutron, I., Hoffmann, T. C., Mulrow, C. D., Shamseer, L., Tetzlaff, J. M., Akl, E. A., Brennan, S. E., Chou, R., Glanville, J., Grimshaw, J. M., Hróbjartsson, A., Lalu, M. M., Li, T., Loder, E. W., Mayo-Wilson, E., McDonald, S., … Moher, D. (2021). The PRISMA 2020 statement : An updated guideline for reporting systematic reviews. BMJ, 372, n71. https://doi.org/10.1136/bmj.n71

Pasas-Farmer, S., & Jain, R. (2025). From discovery to delivery : Governance of AI in the pharmaceutical industry. Green Analytical Chemistry, 13, 100268. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.greeac.2025.100268

Perdana, A., Arifin, S., & Quadrianto, N. (2025). Algorithmic trust and regulation : Governance, ethics, legal, and social implications blueprint for Indonesia’s central banking. Technology in Society, 81, 102838. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.techsoc.2025.102838

Prasetya, F., Fortuna, A., Samala, A. D., Latifa, D. K., Andriani, W., Gusti, U. A., Raihan, M., Criollo-C, S., Kaya, D., & Cabanillas García, J. L. (2025). Harnessing artificial intelligence to revolutionize vocational education : Emerging trends, challenges, and contributions to SDGs 2030. Social Sciences & Humanities Open, 11, 101401. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.ssaho.2025.101401

Sahar, R., & Munawaroh, M. (2025). Artificial intelligence in higher education with bibliometric and content analysis for future research agenda. Discover Sustainability, 6(1), 401. https://doi.org/10.1007/s43621-025-01086-z

Schwendicke, F., Samek, W., & Krois, J. (2020). Artificial Intelligence in Dentistry : Chances and Challenges. Journal of Dental Research, 99(7), 769 774. https://doi.org/10.1177/0022034520915714

Singh, V. K., Singh, P., Karmakar, M., Leta, J., & Mayr, P. (2021). The journal coverage of Web of Science, Scopus and Dimensions : A comparative analysis. Scientometrics, 126(6), 5113 5142.

Spitzeck, H., Boechat, C., & França Leão, S. (2013). Sustainability as a driver for innovation – towards a model of corporate social entrepreneurship at Odebrecht in Brazil. Corporate Governance: The International Journal of Business in Society, 13(5), 613‑625. https://doi.org/10.1108/CG-06-2013-0080

Stattman, S. L., & Mol, A. P. J. (2014). Social sustainability of Brazilian biodiesel : The role of agricultural cooperatives. Geoforum, 54, 282‑294. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.geoforum.2014.04.001

Tlili, A., Shehata, B., Adarkwah, M. A., Bozkurt, A., Hickey, D. T., Huang, R., & Agyemang, B. (2023). What if the devil is my guardian angel : ChatGPT as a case study of using chatbots in education. Smart Learning Environments, 10(1), 15. https://doi.org/10.1186/s40561-023-00237-x

Tun, H. M., Naing, L., Malik, O. A., & Rahman, H. A. (2025). Navigating ASEAN region Artificial Intelligence (AI) governance readiness in healthcare. Health Policy and Technology, 14(2), 100981. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.hlpt.2025.100981

Valencia-Arias, A., Jimenez Garcia, J. A., Alvites Adan, T. E., Martínez Rojas, E., Valencia, J., Agudelo-Ceballos, E., Uribe Bedoya, H., & Moreno López, G. A. (2025). Trends in the sustainable use of artificial intelligence : A bibliometric approach. Discover Sustainability, 6(1), 374. https://doi.org/10.1007/s43621-025-01222-9

van Eck, N. J., & Waltman, L. (2010). Software survey : VOSviewer, a computer program for bibliometric mapping. Scientometrics, 84(2), 523 538. https://doi.org/10.1007/s11192-009-0146-3

Wang, H., Dang, A., Wu, Z., & Mac, S. (2024). Generative AI in higher education : Seeing ChatGPT through universities’ policies, resources, and guidelines. Computers and Education: Artificial Intelligence, 7, 100326. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.caeai.2024.100326

Yang, B. X., Zhou, F., Bai, N., Zhou, S., Luo, C., Wang, Q., Wong, A. K. C., & Lin, F. (2025). Digital and Intelligence Education in Medicine : A Bibliometric and Visualization Analysis Using CiteSpace and VOSviewer. Frontiers of Digital Education, 2(1), 10. https://doi.org/10.1007/s44366-025-0046-y

Zupic, I., & Čater, T. (2015). Bibliometric Methods in Management and Organization. Organizational Research Methods, 18(3), 429 472. https://doi.org/10.1177/1094428114562629