Artificial Intelligence (AI): A Gift or Curse for Universities? AStudent Cyberethics Study

Authors

  • Dr. SEFOKO RAMOSHABA NELSON MANDELA UNIVERSITY Author

Keywords:

ARTIFICIAL INTELLIGENCE

Abstract

Artificial Intelligence (AI) has revolutionised and transformed the university education system in a manner unintended by university administrators, academics, and government. It appears that no one was ready for it or saw it coming. The lack of foresight by universities is a lack of vision by management. Nevertheless, universities are now forced to adapt and integrate AI after the fact. AI provides opportunities and challenges for universities when adopting or not adopting it, and there is no middle ground. AI-powered tools enhance learning experiences, personalise education, and improve student outcomes. However, concerns arise regarding job displacement, data privacy, AI abuse by students, academic integrity, and the need for educators
to adapt their roles. This study investigates the intersection of AI and university education, highlighting the benefits and challenges of this rapidly evolving landscape.

32 16

References

1. Armstrong, K. (2023). A New York Lawyer is Facing a Court Hearing of his own after his Firm Used AI Tool ChatGPT for Legal Research. https://www.bbc.com/news/world-us-canada-65735769

2. Associated Press. (2023). Michael Cohen says he Unwittingly Sent AI-Generated Fake Legal Cases to his Attorney. https://www.npr.org/2023/12/30/1222273745/michael-cohen-ai-fake-legal-cases

3. Auh, J.Y. (2025). Age of AI: The Augmented Mind in the University Classroom. University World News. https://www.universityworldnews.com/post.php?story=20250328094355548&utm_source=newsletter&utm_medium=email&utm_campaign=AFNL0489

4. Bentsson, M. 2016. How to Plan and Perform a Qualitative Study Using Content Analysis. A Journal of NursingPlus Open. Vol. 2: 8-14.

5. Broughton, T. (2025). Lawyers in Deep Trouble for Using AI to Draft Court Papers: Surendra Singh and Associates Ordered to Pay Costs Out of Own Coffers and may have to Answer to Legal Practice Council. https://groundup.org.za/article/lawyers-in-deep-trouble-for-using-ai-to-draft-court-papers/

6. Butts, B. (2025). AI Could Affect 40% of Jobs and Widen Inequality Between Nations, UN Warns. AI could affect 40% of jobs, widen inequality between nations: UN

7. Candy, B. (2025). I’ve Got Bad News for You if You Use ChatGPT, Perplexity, or Gemini as Your Main Search Tool - AI web Search isn't Worth Your Time, Yet. Techradar. https://www.techradar.com/computing/artificial-intelligence/ive-got-bad-news-if-you-use-chatgpt-or-any-other-ai-as-your-main-search-tool

8. Clugston, B. (2024). Advantages and Disadvantages of AI in Education. https://www.ucanwest.ca/blog/education-careers-tips/advantages-and-disadvantages-of-ai-in-education

9. Lee, D., Arnold, M., Srivastava, A., Plastow, K., Strelan, P., Ploeckl, F., Lekkas, D. and Palmer, E. (2024). The Impact of Generative AI on Higher Education Learning and Teaching: A study of Educators’ Perspectives. Computers and Education: Artificial Intelligence, 6, art. no. 100221, https://doi.org/10.1016/j.caeai.2024.100221

10. Davis, R. (2025). CheatGPT Crisis – SA Universities Faced with a Burgeoning Degree of AI-Written Academic Assignments. https://www.dailymaverick.co.za/article/2025-04-05-cheatgpt-crisis-sa-universities-faced-with-a-burgeoning-degree-of-ai-written-academic-assignments/

11. Gates, B. (2023). New Era: The Age of AI has Begun: Artificial Intelligence is as Revolutionary as Mobile Phones and the Internet. https://www.gatesnotes.com/the-age-of-ai-has-begun

12. Gravett, S., Van Der Merve, D. and Ndabezitha, L. (2025). Are We Ready to Prepare Teachers for the AI Wave in Education? Sowetanlive.co.za. https://www.sowetanlive.co.za/opinion/2025-04-01-opinion-are-we-ready-to-prepare-teachers-for-the-ai-wave-in-education/

13. Griffiths, E. (2025). Google AI presented my April Fools' story as real news. https://www.bbc.com/news/articles/cly12egqq5ko

14. Humble, N. Boustedt, J., Holmgren, H., Milutinovic, G., Seipel S. and Ostberg, A. (2023). Cheaters or AI-Enhanced Learners: Consequences of ChatGPT for Programming Education. Electronic Journal of e-Learning, 22(2), pp 16-29, https://doi.org/10.34190/ejel.21.5.3154

15. Jacobs, B. (2025). AI Hub is Paving the NWU’s AI Highway. https://news.nwu.ac.za/ai-hub-pavingnwus-ai-highway

16. Justdone. (2025). Plagiarism Checker by JustDone. https://justdone.com/plagiarism-checker

17. Knutsson, K. (2025). GenAI, Future of Fraud and Why You May be an Easy Target: AI Fraud: What You Need to Know to Stay Safe. A CyberGuy Report. Fox News. https://www.foxnews.com/tech/genai-future-fraud-why-you-may-easy-target

18. Leg, M. and McNamara. (2024). AI is Creating Fake Legal Cases and Making its Way into Real Courtrooms, with Disastrous Results. https://theconversation.com/ai-is-creating-fake-legal-cases-and-making-its-way-into-real-courtrooms-with-disastrous-results-225080

19. Liu, J. (2025). These Jobs are at Risk of Disappearing in the Next 20 years, AI Experts Say. https://www.cnbc.com/2025/04/07/these-jobs-are-at-risk-of-disappearing-in-the-next-20-years-ai-experts-say.html

20. Mofokeng, S., Ramolobe, K.S. and Bogopa, D.L. (2025). Assessing the Impact of Digital Technologies on Service Delivery in Local Government. A Journal of Local Government Research and Innovation, 6(0) art. no. 234, https://doi.org/10.4102/jolgri.v6i0.234

21. Montgomery, L. Bell, E.C. and Huang, K. (2025). Academic Publishing is a Multibillion-Dolar Industry. It’s not Good for Science. https://theconversation.com/academic-publishing-is-a-multibilliondollar-industry-its-not-always-good-for-science-250056

22. Mtshali, N. (2024). Adapt or Perish: A Call for Academics to Embrace Artificial Intelligence. https://usaf.ac.za/adapt-or-perish-a-call-for-academics-to-embrace-artificial-intelligence/

23. Nguyen, T. N. T., Lai, N. V. and Nguyen, Q. T. (2024). Artificial Intelligence (AI) in Education: A Case Study on ChatGPT’s Influence on Student Learning Behaviors. Educational Process: International Journal, 13(2), pp. 105-121, https://doi.org/10.22521/edupij.2024.132.7

24. Nixon, N. (2025). Beyond the Algorithm: Why Leadership and Creativity Are the New Competitive Advantage: The Skills AI Can’t Replicate—and Why They’re More Valuable Than Ever. https://vocal.media/01/beyond-the-algorithm-why-leadership-and-creativity-are-the-new-competitive-advantage

25. Novel, J. and Field, H. (2025). Microsoft birthday celebration interrupted by employees protesting use of AI by Israeli military. CBNC News. https://www.cnbc.com/2025/04/04/microsoft-50-birthday-party-interrupted-by-employees-protesting-ai-use.html

26. Ramoshaba, S. (2017). Improving the Management of Inappropriate Utilisation of Information Technology by University Students. https://ujcontent.uj.ac.za/esploro/outputs/doctoral/Improving-the-management-of-inappropriate-utilisation/9912812207691

Cover Image

Downloads

Published

2026-08-26

How to Cite

Artificial Intelligence (AI): A Gift or Curse for Universities? AStudent Cyberethics Study. (2026). Journal of Advanced Multidisciplinary Studies (JAMS), 1(1), Page 680-692. https://jamsjournal.org/JAMS/article/view/71

Similar Articles

1-10 of 18

You may also start an advanced similarity search for this article.