Management of Strategic Transformation in Higher Education: Artificial Intelligence and the Smart Universities

Khadijeh Ghanbariha*, Shahid Beheshti University
Mohammad Ghahramani, Shahid Beheshti University
Mohammadreza Gholipour, Shahid Beheshti University 

https://doi.org/10.9743/JEO.2026.23.1.6

Abstract

Given the rapid advancements in artificial intelligence (AI) and its potential implications for higher education, this article seeks to critically evaluate the strategic adoption of AI in the framework of smart universities. In this article, innovative institutions are perceived to be an imminent transformation in higher education that utilizes AI and emerging technologies to transform academic leadership and administrative processes. The main assumption is that through such integration, universities can achieve personalized learning pathways, economic efficiency, and overall performance improvement. However, entering this new educational paradigm requires a thorough examination of potential challenges such as questions regarding educational quality, job loss, bias risk, privacy violations, and security concerns. The main goal of this article is to provide a balanced assessment to assist stakeholders in making informed strategic decisions regarding the endorsement and advancement of the smart university model. A pivotal factor in this discourse is the acceptance by employers of academic credentials that include AI, a variable that may significantly redefine the education sector. Within a comprehensive analysis of its broader social impact, this article also delves into the implications of AI-based innovations for universities.

Keywords: Artificial Intelligence, smart university, strategic management, digital transformation

*Corresponding author: khadije.ghanbariha@yahoo.com