The influence of artificial intelligence in higher education based on four thematic axes: a bibliometric study

Abstract

The article presents a structured bibliometric study examining the impact of artificial intelligence (AI) in higher education across four thematic axes: AI in higher education, AI in education review, AI in the teaching-learning process, and AI tools applied to higher education. Research productivity and impact indicators are analyzed using data from major databases like Scopus, Web of Science, and ScienceDirect. Results reveal a significant increase in AI-related research output, particularly in machine learning, data mining, and learning analytics. The study highlights China and the United States as leading contributors to AI research in higher education. The findings highlight AI's evolving role in transforming higher education and the need for multidisciplinary research approaches to address emerging challenges and opportunities. However, limitations include the reliance on quantitative measures, the narrow temporal scope, and the limited focus on high-production countries. Future research should incorporate qualitative methods to explore practical applications and social impacts more comprehensively, consider a broader range of geographic contexts, and discuss ethical considerations around integrating AI into higher education.