2: The Rise of AI in Higher Education

The integration of artificial intelligence (AI) into higher education (HE) represents a transformative shift in the way academic institutions operate and engage with students. This chapter explores the multifaceted impact of AI on HE, touching upon key themes that encapsulate this transformation. First, the chapter outlines the developments of AI in education. It discusses how adaptive learning systems make use of AI to personalise educational content to individual students and optimise their learning experiences. The discourse also explores AI-driven assessment tools that provide educators with data-driven insights into student performance, offering a more personalised and efficient approach to grading and feedback. Second, the chapter extends the discussion to AI in teacher administration, demonstrating how AI technologies streamline administrative tasks in HE. The text will examine the use of AI for enrolment and registration processes, reducing bottlenecks and enhancing efficiency, and AI’s role in student support services, where AI-powered chatbots and virtual assistants offer timely and personalised guidance to students, improving their overall experience.