Artificial Intelligence-Powered Higher Education: A New Era of Learning, Rights Protection, and Human-Machine Synergy

Dear Colleagues,

Today, in the different activities we engage in throughout the day, from how we interact to how we learn, inform ourselves, or make decisions, everything revolves around artificial intelligence. It has become part of our daily lives. Artificial intelligence is one of the most impactful technologies globally; it has become ubiquitous in everyday life. A wide range of examples illustrate how AI has penetrated various aspects of human life, such as access to information via the internet, the consumption of news and entertainment, the identification of people using facial recognition surveillance systems, the functioning of financial markets, and the movements of drivers and pedestrians. As AI advances, possibilities that were once only speculative may soon become tangible.

Throughout history, technologies that use language have been major turning points. These include the invention of writing, which enabled the symbolic treatment of language; the printing press, which facilitated the wider and faster dissemination of knowledge; and the creation of computers capable of processing binary language. All these milestones led to the age of digital information and technology.

As we continue to use AI, it will be discovered that many problems, in terms of applying it to various processes, remain to be overcome. In this regard, the most critical questions that educational institutions must address are what to teach students in this technology-based society and how the many disruptive technologies will alter the way people work. Thus, students must understand that repetitive and routine jobs will eventually be mechanised and performed by robots, artificial intelligence, and automation. However, jobs will always require creativity, critical thinking, and emotional intelligence. At present, many institutions do not teach students the skills they need for their future careers.

This Special Issue aims to explore the impact of artificial intelligence on education: analysing how AI technologies are transforming teaching and learning methods; assessing the protection of rights in AI-driven education; fostering human–machine collaboration; promoting the development of 21st century skills; and analysing case studies and best practices.

In this Special Issue, original research articles and reviews are welcome, and research areas may include, but are not limited to, the following:

• Innovations in personalised learning;
• Artificial intelligence and accessibility in education;
• Ethics and privacy in education with artificial intelligence;
• The development of digital competences;
• Collaboration between teachers and artificial intelligence systems;
• Automated assessment and feedback;
• The impact of artificial intelligence on higher education;
• Policies and regulations for education with artificial intelligence;
• The future of artificial intelligence education;
• Case studies and best practices.

We look forward to receiving your contributions.

Prof. Dr. Carlos Hervás-Gómez
Prof. Dr. María Dolores Díaz-Noguera
Dr. Liliana Mâță
Dr. Nadia Barkoczi
Guest Editors

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