Artificial Intelligence in Higher Education: Ethical Risks and Transformative Potential. A Systematic Review
La Inteligencia Artificial en la universidad, riesgos éticos y potencial transformador: una revisión sistemáticaArticle Sidebar
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Intelligent systems are transforming higher education by personalizing instruction and optimizing academic management in innovative ways. This study aimed to describe the state of research on the ethical challenges and transformative opportunities arising from the integration of artificial intelligence (AI) in higher education. A systematic qualitative review was conducted, identifying 34 articles published between 2021 and 2025, using a synthetic–interpretive approach. Findings indicate a dual landscape: AI enables personalized learning, improved accessibility, administrative efficiency, and predictive analytics for student retention; however, it also entails significant ethical risks, including algorithmic bias, opacity of AI systems, privacy threats, and the dehumanization of the educational experience. In conclusion, realizing its transformative potential requires a robust governance framework to ensure that this technology serves the fundamental humanistic and educational purposes of higher education.
Los sistemas inteligentes transforman la formación universitaria al personalizar la instrucción y optimizar la gestión académica de forma novedosa. El propósito del presente artículo fue describir el estado de las investigaciones relacionadas con los desafíos éticos y las oportunidades de transformación que presenta la integración de la Inteligencia Artificial en la educación superior. La metodología utilizada fue una revisión sistemática cualitativa, se seleccionaron 34 artículos comprendidos entre 2021 y 2025, con un enfoque cualitativo de tipo sintético-interpretativo. Los resultados constatan que esta implementación presenta una dualidad: ofrece personalización del aprendizaje, accesibilidad, eficiencia administrativa y analítica predictiva para la retención estudiantil. Sin embargo, conlleva riesgos éticos profundos como sesgos algorítmicos, opacidad de los sistemas, amenazas a la privacidad y la deshumanización de la experiencia educativa. En conclusión, materializar su potencial transformador requiere un marco de gobernanza robusto que garantice que esta tecnología sirva a los fines humanistas y educativos fundamentales de la enseñanza superior.
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