Abstract:

This paper provides a comprehensive examination of global developments in the integration of Artificial Intelligence (AI) within university administration, extending the insights of Souli and Pierrakeas (2025) and incorporating the most recent advancements observed through 2025. It investigates how higher education institutions worldwide deploy AI to advance data-driven decision-making, optimize administrative efficiency, and enhance student engagement and experience. The study employs a qualitative, integrative methodological approach that combines a systematic literature review with comparative document analysis. Drawing upon the conceptual framework established by Souli and Pierrakeas (2025), the research synthesizes peer-reviewed scholarly articles, institutional policy documents, and international reports published between 2019 and 2025. Sources were identified through targeted searches in Scopus, Web of Science, and Google Scholar using keywords such as «artificial intelligence in higher education», «AI in university governance», «digital transformation», «AI ethics and governance» and «administration». Eighty-five publications met the inclusion criteria, which emphasized research addressing managerial, ethical, and strategic dimensions of Artificial Intelligence in higher-education administration. To ensure a comprehensive understanding of current practices, selected grey literature from global organizations—including UNESCO, OECD & Education International—was also analyzed. The collected data were examined through thematic synthesis, enabling the identification of recurrent patterns across four key domains: predictive analytics, administrative automation, AI ethics and governance, and human-capital development. Cross-regional comparisons were then conducted to assess variations in adoption between higher-income and developing contexts, enhancing the reliability and validity of the findings. The findings highlight the transformative significance of Artificial Intelligence for higher education governance and strategic management. AI implementation supports predictive analytics, administrative automation, and personalized student services, while simultaneously raising ethical, privacy, and governance challenges that require robust institutional oversight. Case studies from the United States, Europe, and Asia illustrate diverse adoption levels and strategic orientations, reflecting contextual differences in resources, policy frameworks, and digital readiness. By integrating empirical evidence from multiple global contexts, this paper emphasizes the critical importance of AI as a catalyst for innovation, accountability, and sustainable transformation in higher education. The study concludes with a strategic framework for responsible, human-centered AI governance that reinforces institutional integrity and enhances the long-term adaptability of universities in the digital era.

Keywords:

Artificial Intelligence (AI), higher education administration, digital transformation, university governance, data-driven decision-making, AI ethics and governance.