Advancing Higher Education through Artificial Intelligence (AI): A Framework for Teaching, Assessment, and Research Integration

The benefits of using Artificial Intelligence (AI) in higher education cannot be overstated. Several studies have demonstrated its importance in improving explicit teaching and learning, argumentation and decision-making, assessment and curriculum design, and other research efforts. However, insufficient comprehensive frameworks for guiding effective usage result in abuse, bias, fragmented efforts, and inconsistent outcomes. The study population comprises approximately 6,000 people, including academic staff and students from the Ladoke Akintola University of Technology (LAUTECH) Open and Distance Learning Centre in Ogbomoso. The sample size of 362 was determined using Cochran’s formula. However, only 333 participants completed the questionnaire. The study employed convenience sampling and informed consent for respondents, analysing closed-ended data using descriptive analysis and open-ended data using thematic analysis to identify patterns and subthemes. The results revealed mixed opinions. Respondents emphasised the advantages of AI in terms of contextualised, tailored teaching content, efficient assessment, and research support. On the other hand, academic staff expressed concerns about overreliance on technology, a lack of human oversight, insufficient infrastructure, and data privacy issues. These findings underscore the need for transparent, balanced, and accountable AI integration that mitigates unethical use while preserving essential human elements. As a result, a framework was created to guide the ethical and practical use of AI, ensuring higher educational quality and innovation while preserving academic integrity and inclusivity.