Artificial Intelligence, Ethics, Academic and Research Integrity in Higher Education: A Bibliometric Analysis

Abstract

Artificial intelligence (AI) offers considerable benefits to higher education, yet its adoption raises persistent concerns about ethics and academic and research integrity. Few studies have mapped this intersection bibliometrically. This study, therefore, analysed 213 journal articles published between 2015 and 2025 and indexed in Scopus and Web of Science, with record selection reported in accordance with PRISMA 2020. VOSviewer was used to examine publication trends, leading sources, highly cited studies, productive countries, keyword co-occurrence and the temporal evolution of themes. Output was negligible before 2023 and grew sharply thereafter. The United States, China and the United Kingdom led production, whereas African contributions remained limited. Of the 845 harmonised keywords, 20 met a minimum occurrence threshold of six (6) and formed four (4) interconnected clusters: AI research ethics and privacy; responsible generative AI and literacy; AI and academic integrity; and AI-enabled teaching and educational technology. Recent scholarship has shifted towards generative AI, AI literacy and educational technology, while research integrity remains under-examined relative to academic integrity. The findings underscore the need for institutional AI governance frameworks, AI-literacy development, and more empirical and African-led research.