Abstract
Introduction: Artificial Intelligence (AI) is rapidly transforming higher education globally, including in India, where it is increasingly used to personalize learning, automate administrative processes, enhance research, and expand access to quality education. However, its adoption raises critical ethical concerns related to data privacy, algorithmic bias, academic integrity, equity, and the evolving role of human educators, making ethical governance essential.
Objective: To examine the role of AI and the need for ethical governance in Indian higher education.
Method: This short communication is based on the literature published between 2020 and 2025, sourced from databases such as PubMed, Scopus, ResearchGate, and Google Scholar. Peer-reviewed articles, government reports, policy documents, and case studies were analysed using thematic analysis to identify key ethical and governance issues.
Results: AI is increasingly integrated across teaching, learning, administration, and research in Indian higher education, though adoption remains uneven. Technologies such as adaptive learning platforms, intelligent tutoring systems, chatbots, automated grading, and predictive analytics are improving access, personalisation, and efficiency, particularly in well-resourced institutions. However, significant challenges persist, including concerns over data privacy and surveillance, algorithmic bias, misuse of generative AI affecting academic integrity, the digital divide, and the absence of structured ethical-governance frameworks.
Conclusion: While AI offers substantial potential to enhance higher education in India, its benefits are offset by ethical risks and governance gaps. Effective integration requires robust ethical frameworks, improved infrastructure, faculty capacity-building, and alignment with the principles of equity and inclusion.
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Copyright (c) 2026 Sachin Gupta, Piyush Bhardwaj, Priyanka Gohere, Krishna Reddy Vajrala, Neetu Sharma (Author)