The emergence of generative AI in Higher Education: Fostering meaningful learning through a strategic framework

The advent of generative AI marks a pivotal moment for Higher Education, presenting both transformative opportunities and complex challenges. This conceptual paper argues that meaningful learning –defined as deep, critical, and applied knowledge engagement– must be the central objective as universities integrate AI. While AI can personalise educational experiences, automate tasks, and provide adaptive feedback, uncritical adoption risks fostering superficial engagement, intellectual dependency, and the erosion of essential critical skills. The article proposes a comprehensive, multi-stakeholder framework for ethical and inclusive AI integration, positioning AI as an enabler, augmenting human capacities such as reasoning, creativity, and ethical judgment rather than replacing them. Key actions include institutional leadership establishing robust ethical policies and equitable infrastructure, educators cultivating critical AI literacy and metacognitive awareness, students actively engaging with AI tools while critically evaluating their outputs, and employers articulating the competencies and dispositions expected from graduates in AI-mediated professional environments. The article advocates for deliberate, collaborative action to shape an educational landscape where AI empowers human potential. This involves developing a foundational vision for AI that prioritises equitable access and meaningful learning, establishing robust ethical governance with clear policies on academic integrity and data privacy, and strategically investing in infrastructure and capacity building. Finally, the three-phase framework proposed highlights continuous implementation and evaluation through systematic stakeholder feedback. This is crucial for iterative improvement and ensuring AI integration remains aligned with a university’s core educational mission, so that graduates will be equipped with technical competencies and the ethical discernment required for an AI-mediated world.