University Governance in the Age of Artificial Intelligence: Opportunities, Challenges, and Institutional Requirements

Abstract

This study examines university governance in higher education institutions in the context of the rapid transformations driven by artificial intelligence (AI). It analyzes the potential of these technologies to advance university administration, enhance the quality of administrative and academic service delivery, support evidence-based decision-making, and promote institutional transparency, efficiency, and effectiveness. Furthermore, the study investigates the critical challenges that impede the effective deployment of AI within university governance frameworks, particularly technical, organizational, legal, human, data-related, and ethical hurdles. Methodologically, the paper adopts a descriptive-analytical approach, based on a critical review and synthesis of relevant academic literature and scholarly studies addressing artificial intelligence, university governance, digital transformation, and higher education administration.

The study does not employ primary empirical data; rather, it develops an analytical understanding of the opportunities and constraints associated with AI-enabled university governance. The findings indicate that while AI constitutes a potent catalyst for optimizing university governance and elevating institutional performance, maximizing its potential remains contingent upon establishing robust digital infrastructure, upskilling human capital, instituting transparent legal and ethical frameworks, strengthening data governance and protection mechanisms, and ensuring data security while mitigating the risks of algorithmic bias and unregulated or poorly governed technological adoption.