Title: Ethical Adoption of Artificial Intelligence in Higher Education: Balancing Innovation, Inclusivity, and Social Responsibility
Authors: ABDULSALAM
Abdulmajeed Bidemi
ADIO
Ibrahim Mayowa
ISAH Mohammed Auwal
MUSTAPHA Inuwa Garo
Volume: 10
Issue: 8
Pages: 129-142
Publication Date: 2026/08/28
Abstract:
This study set out to explore how AI can be adopted ethically in higher education, aiming to find the right balance between innovation, inclusivity, and social responsibility. The study was carried out in Lagos State, Nigeria. A descriptive survey research design was adopted, with a multi-stage sampling technique. A sample size of 328 was drawn, which entails 103 academic staff, 130 students, and 95 university administrators/ICT personnel. Two research questions and two null hypotheses were formulated to guide the study. A 30-item questionnaire was administered to the respondents with the help of four research assistants. A 5-point rating scale was used. The instruments were subjected to face and content validity by three (3) experts. The internal consistency of the instrument was determined using Cronbach's Alpha, and reliability was determined using Pearson Product-Moment Correlation, yielding a coefficient of 0.78. Data were collected using a structured questionnaire and analyzed using mean, standard deviation, and simple linear regression was used to test the hypotheses at 0.05 level of significance. The findings revealed that the adoption of ethical AI has a significant influence on innovation and inclusivity in higher education. Respondents agreed that ethical AI enhances personalized learning, innovative teaching practices, creativity, inclusive classroom participation, and overall institutional innovation as indicated by the grand mean of 3.79 (SD = 0.88). The regression analysis further confirmed that ethical AI adoption is a significant predictor of innovation and inclusivity (? = 0.193, p < 0.05). The findings recommend, among others, that Universities and colleges should create clear and comprehensive ethical AI policies that ensure transparency, fairness, accountability, and data privacy in all areas where AI is used, whether in teaching, learning, or administration.