Ethical Considerations of Generative AI in Higher Education: A Global Perspective

Generative Artificial Intelligence (GenAI) is bringing new opportunities and challenges to higher education. However, while faculty and students harness GenAI tools to produce content, reaping the benefits of convenience and efficiency, this practice also raises ethical dilemmas. This chapter examines the ethical and moral issues arising from the application of GenAI tools in higher education from a global perspective. To address this gap, this study conducted a scoping review of 62 relevant journal articles published between January 2020 and July 2025. It discusses the perceptions and initiatives of different countries regarding the application of GenAI in higher education from a moral and ethical perspective, highlighting ethical issues as a key guiding factor. The chapter analyses the potential risks associated with the use of GenAI in higher education, as identified in existing research, and the ethical decision-making processes in different countries and higher education institutions. This chapter reveals that when GenAI tools are applied in higher education, academic integrity is the most significant concern, followed by the erosion of critical thinking, as well as concerns regarding privacy and transparency. It further examines diverse institutional and national policy responses, indicating a global trend shifting from prohibition towards guidance. Based on these findings, this chapter concludes by offering targeted recommendations for policymakers, institutions, educators, and students. These aim to foster the better and more responsible integration of GenAI in higher education, thereby providing fresh perspectives for advancing this field.