Artificial Intelligence Governance in Higher Education: A Global Bibliometric Mapping of Institutional Adaptation
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Abstract
The rapid diffusion of generative artificial intelligence has created significant governance challenges for higher education institutions worldwide. This study examines global research trends on AI adaptation governance in higher education using a bibliometric approach. Drawing on 1,770 publications indexed in the Scopus database between 2020 and 2025, the analysis maps publication growth, country-level contributions, international collaboration patterns, and keyword co-occurrence networks. The findings reveal a sharp increase in research activity following the emergence of generative AI tools, with four dominant thematic clusters related to ethics and governance, pedagogical adaptation, technical transformation, and applied practices. The results highlight AI governance as a central mechanism shaping institutional adaptation in higher education.
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