Towards responsible artificial intelligence in education: a systematic review on identifying and mitigating ethical risks

Abstract Artificial Intelligence in Education (AIED) is becoming increasingly influential in the educational sphere, offering significant benefits and presenting ethical risks. This study fills a crucial gap by systematically classifying and analyzing these risks. Using a combined approach of system...

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Main Authors: Haotian Zhu, Yao Sun, Junfeng Yang
Format: Article
Language:English
Published: Springer Nature 2025-07-01
Series:Humanities & Social Sciences Communications
Online Access:https://doi.org/10.1057/s41599-025-05252-6
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author Haotian Zhu
Yao Sun
Junfeng Yang
author_facet Haotian Zhu
Yao Sun
Junfeng Yang
author_sort Haotian Zhu
collection DOAJ
description Abstract Artificial Intelligence in Education (AIED) is becoming increasingly influential in the educational sphere, offering significant benefits and presenting ethical risks. This study fills a crucial gap by systematically classifying and analyzing these risks. Using a combined approach of systematic review and grounded theory coding, ethical risks were categorized into three dimensions: technology, education, and society. In the technology dimension, risks include privacy invasion, data leakage, algorithmic bias, the black box algorithm, and algorithmic error. The education dimension risks involve student homogenized development, homogeneous teaching, teaching profession crisis, deviation from educational goals, alienation of the teacher-student relationship, emotional disruption, and academic misconduct. Risks in the society dimension consist of exacerbating the digital divide, the absence of accountability, and a conflict of interest. Based on an analysis of the types, potential triggers, and hazards associated with these risks, we propose strategies spanning three critical dimensions—technology, education, and society, from the perspectives of stakeholders, to address these ethical risks. This study contributes to a concise and precise analysis of the ethical risks associated with AIED, offering practical solutions for the responsible implementation of AIED.
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spelling doaj-art-e9841a57f452476d83eb09c1ed78110f2025-08-20T03:04:31ZengSpringer NatureHumanities & Social Sciences Communications2662-99922025-07-0112111410.1057/s41599-025-05252-6Towards responsible artificial intelligence in education: a systematic review on identifying and mitigating ethical risksHaotian Zhu0Yao Sun1Junfeng Yang2Jing Hengyi School of Education, Hangzhou Normal UniversityJing Hengyi School of Education, Hangzhou Normal UniversityJing Hengyi School of Education, Hangzhou Normal UniversityAbstract Artificial Intelligence in Education (AIED) is becoming increasingly influential in the educational sphere, offering significant benefits and presenting ethical risks. This study fills a crucial gap by systematically classifying and analyzing these risks. Using a combined approach of systematic review and grounded theory coding, ethical risks were categorized into three dimensions: technology, education, and society. In the technology dimension, risks include privacy invasion, data leakage, algorithmic bias, the black box algorithm, and algorithmic error. The education dimension risks involve student homogenized development, homogeneous teaching, teaching profession crisis, deviation from educational goals, alienation of the teacher-student relationship, emotional disruption, and academic misconduct. Risks in the society dimension consist of exacerbating the digital divide, the absence of accountability, and a conflict of interest. Based on an analysis of the types, potential triggers, and hazards associated with these risks, we propose strategies spanning three critical dimensions—technology, education, and society, from the perspectives of stakeholders, to address these ethical risks. This study contributes to a concise and precise analysis of the ethical risks associated with AIED, offering practical solutions for the responsible implementation of AIED.https://doi.org/10.1057/s41599-025-05252-6
spellingShingle Haotian Zhu
Yao Sun
Junfeng Yang
Towards responsible artificial intelligence in education: a systematic review on identifying and mitigating ethical risks
Humanities & Social Sciences Communications
title Towards responsible artificial intelligence in education: a systematic review on identifying and mitigating ethical risks
title_full Towards responsible artificial intelligence in education: a systematic review on identifying and mitigating ethical risks
title_fullStr Towards responsible artificial intelligence in education: a systematic review on identifying and mitigating ethical risks
title_full_unstemmed Towards responsible artificial intelligence in education: a systematic review on identifying and mitigating ethical risks
title_short Towards responsible artificial intelligence in education: a systematic review on identifying and mitigating ethical risks
title_sort towards responsible artificial intelligence in education a systematic review on identifying and mitigating ethical risks
url https://doi.org/10.1057/s41599-025-05252-6
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