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The Role of Artificial Intelligence in Advancing Academic Research in Tertiary Institutions

Published
Pages 68-70
Views 87
Downloads 169

Authors

  • Anthony-Mary Chukwudozie Amali School of General Studies, Federal Polytechnic, Ugep, Cross River State-Nigeria Author https://orcid.org/0009-0003-7022-0682
  • E. Ibe. Onyekachukwu Department of Economies, Faculty of Social Sciences Postgraduate School, Paul University Awka, Anambra State Nigeria Author

DOI

https://doi.org/10.55640/ijssll-06-03-07 ↗

Abstract

Artificial intelligence (AI) is rapidly transforming how knowledge is created, validated, and disseminated in higher education. This paper synthesizes recent empirical and policy literature (2023 – 2025) to examine how AI tools—from large-language-model (LLM) chatbots such as ChatGPT to domain-specific research assistants like Elicit—are reshaping the research lifecycle in universities. We review adoption trends, map functional use-cases, analyse reported benefits and challenges, and propose a governance framework grounded in UNESCO’s 2025 guidance on generative AI. Findings indicate that AI already augments literature discovery, data analysis, scientific writing, reproducibility checks, and research management; however, concerns over academic integrity, bias, data security, and cognitive deskilling persist. We conclude that strategic investment in human-centred AI, faculty–student capacity-building, and robust ethical oversight will determine whether tertiary institutions leverage AI as a catalyst for scholarly innovation or encounter new inequities.

Keywords

Artificial Intelligence , Generative AI , Academic Research , Higher Education , ChatGPT , Research Ethics

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References

1. Akinwale, A. A. (2022). Digital Innovation and Higher Education in Nigeria. African Journal of Education and Technology, 18(2), 56–70.

2. Chukwu, O., & Adepoju, A. (2023). Artificial Intelligence Applications in Nigerian Universities: A Review. Journal of ICT and Education, 14(1), 12–25.

3. McArthur, D., & Sachs, J. (2020). Artificial Intelligence and the Future of Higher Education. International Review of Research in Open and Distributed Learning, 21(4), 45–67.

4. UNESCO (2021). AI and the Futures of Education: Learning to Live with AI. Paris: UNESCO Publishing.

5. World Bank. (2022). Artificial Intelligence in Africa’s Tertiary Education Systems. Policy Note.

6. Campus Technology. (2024, Aug 28). Survey: 86 % of students already use AI in their studies. campustechnology.com

7. UNESCO. (2025, April 14). Guidance for generative AI in education and research. https://unesco.org unesco.org

8. Anara. (2025, June 12). AI literature-review tools [Blog post]. https://anara.com anara.com

9. MIT Media Lab. (2025, June 19). Using ChatGPT for work? It might make you stupid [Press release summarised in The Times]. thetimes.co.uk

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