{"status":"ok","message-type":"work","message-version":"1.0.0","message":{"indexed":{"date-parts":[[2026,7,23]],"date-time":"2026-07-23T07:07:00Z","timestamp":1784790420802,"version":"3.55.0"},"update-to":[{"DOI":"10.12688\/f1000research.173517.1","type":"new_version","label":"New version","source":"publisher","updated":{"date-parts":[[2026,7,23]],"date-time":"2026-07-23T00:00:00Z","timestamp":1784764800000}},{"DOI":"10.12688\/f1000research.173517.2","type":"new_version","label":"New version","source":"publisher","updated":{"date-parts":[[2026,7,23]],"date-time":"2026-07-23T00:00:00Z","timestamp":1784764800000}}],"reference-count":49,"publisher":"F1000 Research Ltd","license":[{"start":{"date-parts":[[2026,7,23]],"date-time":"2026-07-23T00:00:00Z","timestamp":1784764800000},"content-version":"tdm","delay-in-days":0,"URL":"https:\/\/creativecommons.org\/licenses\/by\/4.0\/"}],"funder":[{"name":"Collectively funded by authors"}],"content-domain":{"domain":["f1000research.com"],"crossmark-restriction":false},"short-container-title":["F1000Res"],"abstract":"<ns5:p>Background Digital transformation, driven by artificial intelligence (AI) and digital innovation, has become a cornerstone for improving educational quality and administrative efficiency in higher education institutions. However, universities in developing countries like Iraq face significant challenges, including inadequate infrastructure, gaps in digital literacy, and resistance to change that hinder the effective integration of these technologies. Method This study used both descriptive and quantitative analysis using statistical tools represented by SPSS and Amos, tables and graphs. Data was collected from 206 faculty members working at the University of Ninevah using an electronic questionnaire after it was evaluated by experts in the field of artificial intelligence and digital transformation. Results The results of the statistical analysis showed that artificial intelligence has a positive impact on enabling digital innovation in universities. The study also revealed that digital transformation played a key mediating role in analyzing the relationship between artificial intelligence and digital innovation. Thus, the four hypotheses were confirmed, reflecting the validity of the hypothesized model and highlighting the importance of digital transformation as a strategic mechanism for improving the efficiency of artificial intelligence technologies and supporting digital innovation in universities. Conclusion Our study concludes that digital transformation, which supports enhanced interaction between artificial intelligence and digital innovation, is key to improving the quality of education and management ethics in Iraqi higher education institutions. This leads to better teaching practices, more engaged students, enhanced collaboration, and support for scientific research. However, weak infrastructure support, a prevailing digital culture, and some resistance to change pose real challenges to its implementation. Despite these obstacles, digital transformation remains a top investment priority for Iraqi higher education institutions to maximize the direct benefits of artificial intelligence and digital innovation.<\/ns5:p>","DOI":"10.12688\/f1000research.173517.3","type":"journal-article","created":{"date-parts":[[2026,7,23]],"date-time":"2026-07-23T06:29:05Z","timestamp":1784788145000},"page":"312","update-policy":"https:\/\/doi.org\/10.12688\/f1000research.crossmark-policy","source":"Crossref","is-referenced-by-count":0,"title":["The Impact of Artificial Intelligence in Enabling Digital Innovation\/ The Mediating Role of Digital Transformation: A Survey Study Opinions of a Sample for Faculty Members at University of Ninevah"],"prefix":"10.12688","volume":"15","author":[{"ORCID":"https:\/\/orcid.org\/0009-0007-2891-1905","authenticated-orcid":false,"given":"MOHAMMED","family":"TALLAL MOHAMMED","sequence":"first","affiliation":[{"name":"Software Department, Information Technology College Mosul Nineveh Governorate Ninevah University"}],"role":[{"vocabulary":"crossref","role":"author"}]},{"given":"Raghad","family":"Osama Jarallah","sequence":"additional","affiliation":[{"name":"Law college Mosul Nineveh Governorate Ninevah University"}],"role":[{"vocabulary":"crossref","role":"author"}]},{"given":"MOATASEM","family":"HOOD M. SALIH","sequence":"additional","affiliation":[{"name":"Law college Mosul Nineveh Governorate Ninevah University"}],"role":[{"vocabulary":"crossref","role":"author"}]},{"ORCID":"https:\/\/orcid.org\/0000-0001-7545-4144","authenticated-orcid":false,"given":"Adel","family":"Mohammed Abdullah","sequence":"additional","affiliation":[{"name":"Department of Industrial Management, College of Administration and Economic Mosul Nineveh Governorate University of Mosul"}],"role":[{"vocabulary":"crossref","role":"author"}]},{"given":"Nizar","family":"Siddeek Al-gahwachi","sequence":"additional","affiliation":[{"name":"Department of Economics, College of Administration and Economic Mosul Nineveh Governorate University of Mosul"}],"role":[{"vocabulary":"crossref","role":"author"}]},{"given":"WSAM","family":"HASAN FATHI","sequence":"additional","affiliation":[{"name":"Department of Administrative and Financial Affairs Mosul Nineveh Governorate Ninevah University"}],"role":[{"vocabulary":"crossref","role":"author"}]}],"member":"2560","published-online":{"date-parts":[[2026,7,23]]},"reference":[{"key":"ref1","first-page":"196-210","article-title":"The role of digital transformation strategy capabilities in knowledge leadership at Iraqi universities.","volume":"33","author":"A Abdullah","year":"2024","journal-title":"World Economics and Finance Bulletin."},{"key":"ref2","doi-asserted-by":"publisher","first-page":"1090-1117","DOI":"10.1108\/JEEE-07-2022-0207","article-title":"The impact of artificial intelligence in marketing on the performance of business organizations: evidence from SMEs in an emerging economy.","volume":"16","author":"K Abrokwah-Larbi","year":"2024","journal-title":"Journal of Entrepreneurship in Emerging Economies."},{"key":"ref3","first-page":"486-505","article-title":"The relationship among digital innovation, digital marketing, digital technology, and corporate performance: Mediating role of green supply chain management of Iraq textile industry.","volume":"28","author":"M Ahmed","year":"2022","journal-title":"International Journal of Operations and Quantitative Management."},{"key":"ref4","doi-asserted-by":"publisher","first-page":"128-141","DOI":"10.29322\/IJSRP.14.02.2023.p14615","article-title":"Digital transformation in higher education in developing countries to support sustainable development.","volume":"14","author":"A Al-Aryani","year":"2024","journal-title":"International Journal of Scientific ResearchandPublications."},{"key":"ref5","first-page":"1939-1951","article-title":"Towards smart learning environments in Iraqi schools \u2013 Existing infrastructure and challenges.","volume":"9","author":"M Aldulaimi","year":"2018","journal-title":"International Journal of Civil Engineering and Technology."},{"key":"ref6","doi-asserted-by":"crossref","first-page":"35-57","DOI":"10.9734\/ajpas\/2023\/v24i4533","article-title":"The reality of digital transformation at Jordanian universities from the perspective of administrators.","volume":"24","author":"K Alsayed","year":"2023","journal-title":"Asian Journal of Probability and Statistics."},{"key":"ref56","doi-asserted-by":"crossref","first-page":"35921","DOI":"10.1038\/s41598-025-19851-5","article-title":"Determinants of student adoption of artificial intelligence applications in higher education.","volume":"15","author":"S Alshammari","year":"2025","journal-title":"Sci Rep."},{"key":"ref57","doi-asserted-by":"crossref","first-page":"106363","DOI":"10.1016\/j.actpsy.2026.106363","article-title":"Extending the UTAUT Model: The role of cognitive flexibility in AI adoption in higher education.","volume":"263","author":"S Alshammari","year":"2026","journal-title":"Acta Psychologica."},{"key":"ref7","doi-asserted-by":"crossref","first-page":"10","DOI":"10.47577\/tssj.v47i1.9412","article-title":"Requirements for the introduction of artificial intelligence technology in teaching Kuwaiti university students from the point of view of faculty members.","volume":"47","author":"R Al-Slehat","year":"2023","journal-title":"Technium Social Sciences Journal."},{"key":"ref8","first-page":"e2025409","article-title":"The Role of Artificial Intelligence Applications in Improving Blended Learning in Iraqi Universities.","volume":"17","author":"S Al-Taai","year":"2025","journal-title":"Int. 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