AI adoption in Chinese universities: Insights, challenges, and opportunities from academic leaders
This study explores the perceptions, challenges, and strategies related to the integration of Artificial Intelligence (AI) in Chinese higher education from the perspective of academic leaders. Through semi-structured interviews with 20 academic leaders from eight Chinese universities and guided by t...
Saved in:
| Main Authors: | , , , , |
|---|---|
| Format: | Article |
| Language: | English |
| Published: |
Elsevier
2025-08-01
|
| Series: | Acta Psychologica |
| Subjects: | |
| Online Access: | http://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S0001691825004731 |
| Tags: |
Add Tag
No Tags, Be the first to tag this record!
|
| _version_ | 1850061288601812992 |
|---|---|
| author | Xibing Wang Shuli Zhao Xiaoshu Xu Huanhuan Zhang Vivian Ngan-Lin Lei |
| author_facet | Xibing Wang Shuli Zhao Xiaoshu Xu Huanhuan Zhang Vivian Ngan-Lin Lei |
| author_sort | Xibing Wang |
| collection | DOAJ |
| description | This study explores the perceptions, challenges, and strategies related to the integration of Artificial Intelligence (AI) in Chinese higher education from the perspective of academic leaders. Through semi-structured interviews with 20 academic leaders from eight Chinese universities and guided by the Diffusion of Innovation (DOI) and Transformational Leadership (TEL) theories, the study identifies the initial adoption of AI in administrative tasks and student services, but slower integration into core educational functions such as teaching and research. Key challenges include a lack of digital literacy and resistance to AI among faculty, which hinder deeper integration. Additionally, resource allocation, funding constraints, and concerns over data privacy and security present significant barriers. Academic leaders recommend enhancing digital literacy, offering ongoing professional development, and implementing supportive policies for AI adoption. While optimistic about AI's potential in personalized learning and resource optimization, they stress the importance of ensuring ethical and equitable AI use. The study suggests future research on AI's long-term educational impact, policy effectiveness, and its integration across disciplines. This research offers valuable insights into the challenges of AI integration in Chinese higher education and provides practical guidance for its global application. |
| format | Article |
| id | doaj-art-0df87b5f247b416bbfb946951fbe6dd4 |
| institution | DOAJ |
| issn | 0001-6918 |
| language | English |
| publishDate | 2025-08-01 |
| publisher | Elsevier |
| record_format | Article |
| series | Acta Psychologica |
| spelling | doaj-art-0df87b5f247b416bbfb946951fbe6dd42025-08-20T02:50:17ZengElsevierActa Psychologica0001-69182025-08-0125810516010.1016/j.actpsy.2025.105160AI adoption in Chinese universities: Insights, challenges, and opportunities from academic leadersXibing Wang0Shuli Zhao1Xiaoshu Xu2Huanhuan Zhang3Vivian Ngan-Lin Lei4Yunnan Vocational College of Mechanical and Electrical Technology, School of Information Engineering, China; Stamford International University, ThailandSchool of Education, Macau City University, Macao; Sanya Aviation and Tourism College, ChinaStamford International University, Thailand; School of Foreign Studies, Wenzhou University, China; Macao Polytechnic University, Macao; Corresponding author at: School of Foreign Studies, Wenzhou University, China.Faculty of Applied Sciences, Macau Polytechnic University, MacaoVice-Rector of Macao Polytechnic University, Journal of Global Gaming & Tourism Research, Macao Polytechnic University, Macao; Journal of Macau Studies, ChinaThis study explores the perceptions, challenges, and strategies related to the integration of Artificial Intelligence (AI) in Chinese higher education from the perspective of academic leaders. Through semi-structured interviews with 20 academic leaders from eight Chinese universities and guided by the Diffusion of Innovation (DOI) and Transformational Leadership (TEL) theories, the study identifies the initial adoption of AI in administrative tasks and student services, but slower integration into core educational functions such as teaching and research. Key challenges include a lack of digital literacy and resistance to AI among faculty, which hinder deeper integration. Additionally, resource allocation, funding constraints, and concerns over data privacy and security present significant barriers. Academic leaders recommend enhancing digital literacy, offering ongoing professional development, and implementing supportive policies for AI adoption. While optimistic about AI's potential in personalized learning and resource optimization, they stress the importance of ensuring ethical and equitable AI use. The study suggests future research on AI's long-term educational impact, policy effectiveness, and its integration across disciplines. This research offers valuable insights into the challenges of AI integration in Chinese higher education and provides practical guidance for its global application.http://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S0001691825004731AI in higher educationAcademic leadershipAI adoptionChinese universitiesThematic analysis |
| spellingShingle | Xibing Wang Shuli Zhao Xiaoshu Xu Huanhuan Zhang Vivian Ngan-Lin Lei AI adoption in Chinese universities: Insights, challenges, and opportunities from academic leaders Acta Psychologica AI in higher education Academic leadership AI adoption Chinese universities Thematic analysis |
| title | AI adoption in Chinese universities: Insights, challenges, and opportunities from academic leaders |
| title_full | AI adoption in Chinese universities: Insights, challenges, and opportunities from academic leaders |
| title_fullStr | AI adoption in Chinese universities: Insights, challenges, and opportunities from academic leaders |
| title_full_unstemmed | AI adoption in Chinese universities: Insights, challenges, and opportunities from academic leaders |
| title_short | AI adoption in Chinese universities: Insights, challenges, and opportunities from academic leaders |
| title_sort | ai adoption in chinese universities insights challenges and opportunities from academic leaders |
| topic | AI in higher education Academic leadership AI adoption Chinese universities Thematic analysis |
| url | http://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S0001691825004731 |
| work_keys_str_mv | AT xibingwang aiadoptioninchineseuniversitiesinsightschallengesandopportunitiesfromacademicleaders AT shulizhao aiadoptioninchineseuniversitiesinsightschallengesandopportunitiesfromacademicleaders AT xiaoshuxu aiadoptioninchineseuniversitiesinsightschallengesandopportunitiesfromacademicleaders AT huanhuanzhang aiadoptioninchineseuniversitiesinsightschallengesandopportunitiesfromacademicleaders AT viviannganlinlei aiadoptioninchineseuniversitiesinsightschallengesandopportunitiesfromacademicleaders |