12 Mar 2025
Dr Anisa Vahed, from the Department of Educational Development at Xi’an Jiaotong-Liverpool University (XJTLU), and her team of international editors – Charlie Reis (XJTLU), Shalini Singh (Durban University of South Africa, South Africa), and Louise Drumm (Edinburgh Napier University, Scotland), has recently collaborated with scholars from South African universities and beyond to compile a special issue of the African Journal of Inter- and Multidisciplinary Studies (AJIMS).
Titled “Moving Artificial Intelligence Scholarship,” the special issue examines the transformative impact of AI, particularly Generative AI, on higher education. It critically explores how AI intersects with pedagogical practices, ethical considerations, and professional development, with a focus on perspectives from China and South Africa.
The special issue was developed through cross-institutional collaboration, bringing together experts from XJTLU, South African universities, and beyond. Dr Vahed says: “This partnership enabled diverse perspectives on AI’s impact on higher education, enriching the discourse with insights from different educational and cultural contexts.”
AJIMS is a distinguished, peer-reviewed scholarly journal that fosters interdisciplinary research and dialogue among academics, researchers, and policymakers. It is committed to addressing critical issues within various domains, including education, technology, social sciences, and the humanities.
AI’s dual role as an enabler and disruptor in education
This special issue highlights AI’s dual role as an enabler and disruptor in education. Key themes include epistemic justice in AI-assisted assessment, ethical dilemmas in GenAI adoption, co-creation in learning design, responsible AI use in academic writing, and AI’s role in enhancing educational research methodologies.
Notable contributions include research on how AI challenges traditional assessment models, advocating for approaches rooted in epistemic justice, and studies examining the moral dilemmas of AI-generated assessments within a Sino-Foreign University setting. These findings underscore the importance of transparency, fairness, and culturally sensitive policy development to promote ethical AI integration.
The research in this special issue offers practical applications across multiple facets of higher education. “For example, AI-enhanced assessments provide opportunities to develop critical thinking and ethical awareness while ensuring academic integrity. Studies on responsible AI use in academic writing offer frameworks for structured training programs that help students engage with GenAI tools effectively. The findings on co-creation in learning design emphasize inclusive and relational pedagogies that empower educators and students. ” says Dr Vahed.
“Studying AI in education has significant implications in the context of rapid technological advancements and ethical challenges. Further exploration of AI’s potential can provide new solutions and perspectives for protecting academic integrity and enhancing educational outcomes.”
Dr Vahed highlights that the research process involved navigating the rapid evolution of AI technologies, ethical considerations, and institutional adaptation. A key achievement was maintaining academic rigour while ensuring the research remained relevant to real-world challenges. This balance enriched the special issue, fostering critical discussions that bridge theory and practice, ultimately providing valuable insights for educators, policymakers, and institutions.
Dr Vahed says: “Working on this special issue deepened our understanding of AI's ethical, pedagogical, and societal implications. It reinforced the value of interdisciplinary collaboration in AI scholarship and highlighted how maintaining academic rigour while addressing real-world challenges can lead to more impactful and applicable research. The experience underscored the importance of balancing technological innovation with educational integrity, ensuring that AI's integration into higher education is meaningful and responsible.”
The special issue of AJIMS, Moving Artificial Intelligence Scholarship, can be read here.
By Xiaoyan Jin
Edited by Dr Anisa Vahed
12 Mar 2025