{"status":"ok","message-type":"work","message-version":"1.0.0","message":{"indexed":{"date-parts":[[2026,4,7]],"date-time":"2026-04-07T16:35:10Z","timestamp":1775579710691,"version":"3.50.1"},"reference-count":44,"publisher":"MDPI AG","issue":"4","license":[{"start":{"date-parts":[[2025,4,8]],"date-time":"2025-04-08T00:00:00Z","timestamp":1744070400000},"content-version":"vor","delay-in-days":0,"URL":"https:\/\/creativecommons.org\/licenses\/by\/4.0\/"}],"content-domain":{"domain":[],"crossmark-restriction":false},"short-container-title":["Information"],"abstract":"<jats:p>This systematic literature review rigorously evaluates the impact of Generative AI (GenAI) on academic integrity within higher education settings. The primary objective is to synthesize how GenAI technologies influence student behavior and academic honesty, assessing the benefits and risks associated with their integration. We defined clear inclusion and exclusion criteria, focusing on studies explicitly discussing GenAI\u2019s role in higher education from January 2021 to December 2024. Databases included ABI\/INFORM, ACM Digital Library, IEEE Xplore, and JSTOR, with the last search conducted in May 2024. A total of 41 studies met our precise inclusion criteria. Our synthesis methods involved qualitative analysis to identify common themes and quantify trends where applicable. The results indicate that while GenAI can enhance educational engagement and efficiency, it also poses significant risks of academic dishonesty. We critically assessed the risk of bias in included studies and noted a limitation in the diversity of databases, which might have restricted the breadth of perspectives. Key implications suggest enhancing digital literacy and developing robust detection tools to effectively manage GenAI\u2019s dual impacts. No external funding was received for this review. Future research should expand database sources and include more diverse study designs to overcome current limitations and refine policy recommendations.<\/jats:p>","DOI":"10.3390\/info16040296","type":"journal-article","created":{"date-parts":[[2025,4,8]],"date-time":"2025-04-08T05:59:00Z","timestamp":1744091940000},"page":"296","update-policy":"https:\/\/doi.org\/10.3390\/mdpi_crossmark_policy","source":"Crossref","is-referenced-by-count":72,"title":["Generative AI and Academic Integrity in Higher Education: A Systematic Review and Research Agenda"],"prefix":"10.3390","volume":"16","author":[{"ORCID":"https:\/\/orcid.org\/0009-0000-5232-5323","authenticated-orcid":false,"given":"Kyle","family":"Bittle","sequence":"first","affiliation":[{"name":"Department of Information Systems, College of Business and Information Systems, Dakota State University, Madison, SD 57042, USA"}]},{"ORCID":"https:\/\/orcid.org\/0000-0001-8657-8732","authenticated-orcid":false,"given":"Omar","family":"El-Gayar","sequence":"additional","affiliation":[{"name":"Department of Information Systems, College of Business and Information Systems, Dakota State University, Madison, SD 57042, USA"}]}],"member":"1968","published-online":{"date-parts":[[2025,4,8]]},"reference":[{"key":"ref_1","doi-asserted-by":"crossref","first-page":"b2700","DOI":"10.1136\/bmj.b2700","article-title":"The PRISMA Statement for Reporting Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses of Studies That Evaluate Health Care Interventions: Explanation and Elaboration","volume":"339","author":"Liberati","year":"2009","journal-title":"BMJ"},{"key":"ref_2","doi-asserted-by":"crossref","first-page":"e1230","DOI":"10.1002\/cl2.1230","article-title":"PRISMA2020: An R package and Shiny app for producing PRISMA 2020-compliant flow diagrams, with interactivity for optimised digital transparency and Open Synthesis","volume":"18","author":"Haddaway","year":"2022","journal-title":"Campbell Syst. Rev."},{"key":"ref_3","doi-asserted-by":"crossref","first-page":"77","DOI":"10.1191\/1478088706qp063oa","article-title":"Using thematic analysis in psychology","volume":"3","author":"Braun","year":"2006","journal-title":"Qual. Res. Psychol."},{"key":"ref_4","doi-asserted-by":"crossref","first-page":"3624720","DOI":"10.1145\/3624720","article-title":"Computing Education in the Era of Generative AI","volume":"67","author":"Denny","year":"2024","journal-title":"Commun. ACM"},{"key":"ref_5","doi-asserted-by":"crossref","first-page":"100060","DOI":"10.1016\/j.jrt.2023.100060","article-title":"ChatGPT and the rise of generative AI: Threat to academic integrity?","volume":"13","author":"Eke","year":"2023","journal-title":"J. Responsible Technol."},{"key":"ref_6","first-page":"386","article-title":"From chalkboards to AI-powered learning","volume":"27","author":"Er","year":"2024","journal-title":"Educ. Technol. Soc."},{"key":"ref_7","first-page":"265","article-title":"AI: New source of competitiveness in higher education","volume":"33","author":"Hannan","year":"2023","journal-title":"Compet. Rev. Int. Bus. J."},{"key":"ref_8","doi-asserted-by":"crossref","unstructured":"Lau, S., and Guo, P. (2023, January 7\u201311). From \u201cBan It Till We Understand It\u201d to \u201cResistance is Futile\u201d: How University Programming Instructors Plan to Adapt as More Students Use AI Code Generation and Explanation Tools such as ChatGPT and GitHub Copilot. Proceedings of the 2023 ACM Conference on International Computing Education Research V.1, Chicago, IL, USA.","DOI":"10.1145\/3568813.3600138"},{"key":"ref_9","doi-asserted-by":"crossref","unstructured":"Park, H., and Ahn, D. (2024, January 11\u201316). The Promise and Peril of ChatGPT in Higher Education: Opportunities, Challenges, and Design Implications. Proceedings of the CHI Conference on Human Factors in Computing Systems, Honolulu, HI, USA.","DOI":"10.1145\/3613904.3642785"},{"key":"ref_10","doi-asserted-by":"crossref","unstructured":"Khalil, M., and Er, E. (2023). Will ChatGPT get you caught? Rethinking of Plagiarism Detection. Learning and Collaboration Technologies, Springer.","DOI":"10.35542\/osf.io\/fnh48"},{"key":"ref_11","doi-asserted-by":"crossref","unstructured":"Sheard, J., Denny, P., Hellas, A., Leinonen, J., Malmi, L. (2024, January 7). Instructor Perceptions of AI Code Generation Tools\u2014A Multi-Institutional Interview Study. Proceedings of the 55th ACM Technical Symposium on Computer Science Education V.1, New York, NY, USA.","DOI":"10.1145\/3626252.3630880"},{"key":"ref_12","doi-asserted-by":"crossref","unstructured":"Slomp, E.M., Ropelato, D., Bonatti, C., and Da Silva, M.D. (2024, January 10\u201313). Adaptive Learning in Engineering Courses: How Artificial Intelligence (AI) Can Improve Academic Outcomes. Proceedings of the 2024 IEEE World Engineering Education Conference (EDUNINE), Guatemala City, Guatemala.","DOI":"10.1109\/EDUNINE60625.2024.10500580"},{"key":"ref_13","unstructured":"Susnjak, T. (2022). ChatGPT: The End of Online Exam Integrity?. arXiv."},{"key":"ref_14","doi-asserted-by":"crossref","unstructured":"Zastudil, C., Rogalska, M., Kapp, C., Vaughn, J., and MacNeil, S. (2023). Generative AI in Computing Education: Perspectives of Students and Instructors. arXiv.","DOI":"10.1109\/FIE58773.2023.10343467"},{"key":"ref_15","doi-asserted-by":"crossref","unstructured":"Isaac, M., Ateeq, M., Hafizh, H., Hu, B., and Shodipo, D. (December, January 28). Leveraging Artificial Intelligence with Zone of Proximal Development: An ARCS Motivational E-Learning Model. Proceedings of the 2023 IEEE International Conference on Teaching, Assessment and Learning for Engineering (TALE), Auckland, New Zealand.","DOI":"10.1109\/TALE56641.2023.10398344"},{"key":"ref_16","first-page":"I","article-title":"Teachers\u2019 agency in the era of LLM and generative AI","volume":"27","author":"Lan","year":"2024","journal-title":"Educ. Technol. Soc."},{"key":"ref_17","doi-asserted-by":"crossref","unstructured":"Li, Z., Dhruv, A., and Jain, V. (2024, January 5\u20137). Ethical Considerations in the Use of AI for Higher Education: A Comprehensive Guide. Proceedings of the 2024 IEEE 18th International Conference on Semantic Computing (ICSC), Laguna Hills, CA, USA.","DOI":"10.1109\/ICSC59802.2024.00041"},{"key":"ref_18","doi-asserted-by":"crossref","unstructured":"Liu, R., Zenke, C., Liu, C., Holmes, A., Thornton, P., and Malan, D.J. (2024, January 20\u201323). Teaching CS50 with AI: Leveraging Generative Artificial Intelligence in Computer Science Education. Proceedings of the 55th ACM Technical Symposium on Computer Science Education V. 1, Portland, OR, USA.","DOI":"10.1145\/3626252.3630938"},{"key":"ref_19","doi-asserted-by":"crossref","first-page":"102274","DOI":"10.1016\/j.lindif.2023.102274","article-title":"ChatGPT for good? On opportunities and challenges of large language models for education","volume":"103","author":"Kasneci","year":"2023","journal-title":"Learn. Individ. Differ."},{"key":"ref_20","doi-asserted-by":"crossref","unstructured":"Kendon, T., Wu, L., and Aycock, J. (2023, January 4\u20135). AI-Generated Code Not Considered Harmful. Proceedings of the 25th Western Canadian Conference on Computing Education, Vancouver, BC, Canada.","DOI":"10.1145\/3593342.3593349"},{"key":"ref_21","doi-asserted-by":"crossref","unstructured":"Malinka, K., Peres\u00edni, M., Firc, A., Hujn\u00e1k, O., and Janus, F. (2023, January 7\u201312). On the Educational Impact of ChatGPT: Is Artificial Intelligence Ready to Obtain a University Degree?. Proceedings of the 2023 Conference on Innovation and Technology in Computer Science Education V. 1, Turku, Finland.","DOI":"10.1145\/3587102.3588827"},{"key":"ref_22","doi-asserted-by":"crossref","unstructured":"Petrovska, O., Clift, L., Moller, F., and Pearsall, R. (2024, January 5). Incorporating Generative AI into Software Development Education. Proceedings of the 8th Conference on Computing Education Practice, Durham, UK.","DOI":"10.1145\/3633053.3633057"},{"key":"ref_23","doi-asserted-by":"crossref","unstructured":"Prather, J., Denny, P., Leinonen, J., Becker, B.A., Albluwi, I., Craig, M., Keuning, H., Kiesler, N., Kohn, T., and Luxton-Reilly, A. (2023, January 7\u201312). The Robots Are Here: Navigating the Generative AI Revolution in Computing Education. Proceedings of the 2023 Working Group Reports on Innovation and Technology in Computer Science Education, Turku, Finland.","DOI":"10.1145\/3623762.3633499"},{"key":"ref_24","doi-asserted-by":"crossref","unstructured":"Rajabi, P., Taghipour, P., Cukierman, D., and Doleck, T. (2023, January 4\u20135). Exploring ChatGPT\u2019s impact on post-secondary education: A qualitative study. Proceedings of the 25th Western Canadian Conference on Computing Education, Vancouver, BC, Canada.","DOI":"10.1145\/3593342.3593360"},{"key":"ref_25","first-page":"342","article-title":"ChatGPT: Bullshit spewer or the end of traditional assessments in higher education?","volume":"6","author":"Rudolph","year":"2023","journal-title":"J. Appl. Learn. Teach."},{"key":"ref_26","first-page":"1","article-title":"Artificial Intelligence\u2019s (AI) Role in Higher Education\u2014Challenges and Applications","volume":"28","author":"Saxena","year":"2024","journal-title":"Acad. Mark. Stud. J."},{"key":"ref_27","doi-asserted-by":"crossref","first-page":"1","DOI":"10.1145\/3628162","article-title":"Can Students without Prior Knowledge Use ChatGPT to Answer Test Questions? An Empirical Study","volume":"23","author":"Shoufan","year":"2023","journal-title":"ACM Trans. Comput. Educ."},{"key":"ref_28","doi-asserted-by":"crossref","first-page":"38805","DOI":"10.1109\/ACCESS.2023.3268224","article-title":"Exploring Students\u2019 Perceptions of ChatGPT: Thematic Analysis and Follow-Up Survey","volume":"11","author":"Shoufan","year":"2023","journal-title":"IEEE Access"},{"key":"ref_29","doi-asserted-by":"crossref","first-page":"259","DOI":"10.24818\/EA\/2024\/65\/259","article-title":"Quantitative Evaluation of Willingness to Use Artificial Intelligence within Business and Economic Academic Environment","volume":"26","author":"Serban","year":"2024","journal-title":"Amfiteatru Econ."},{"key":"ref_30","doi-asserted-by":"crossref","first-page":"71","DOI":"10.24818\/EA\/2024\/65\/71","article-title":"Exploring University Students Perceptions of Generative Artificial Intelligence in Education","volume":"26","author":"Tala","year":"2024","journal-title":"Amfiteatru Econ."},{"key":"ref_31","doi-asserted-by":"crossref","first-page":"15","DOI":"10.1186\/s40561-023-00237-x","article-title":"What if the devil is my guardian angel: ChatGPT as a case study of using chatbots in education. Smart Learning Environments","volume":"10","author":"Tlili","year":"2023","journal-title":"Smart Learn. Environ."},{"key":"ref_32","doi-asserted-by":"crossref","unstructured":"Wang, J., and Cornely, P.-R. (2023, January 25\u201327). Addressing Academic Misconduct in the Age of ChatGPT: Strategies and Solutions. Proceedings of the 2023 7th International Conference on Education and E-Learning, Tokyo, Japan.","DOI":"10.1145\/3637989.3638014"},{"key":"ref_33","doi-asserted-by":"crossref","unstructured":"Ali, W., Alami, R., Alsmairat MA, K., and AlMasaeid, T. (2024, January 26\u201328). Consensus or Controversy: Examining AI\u2019s Impact on Academic Integrity, Student Learning, and Inclusivity Within Higher Education Environments. Proceedings of the 2024 2nd International Conference on Cyber Resilience (ICCR), Dubai, United Arab Emirates.","DOI":"10.1109\/ICCR61006.2024.10532968"},{"key":"ref_34","doi-asserted-by":"crossref","unstructured":"Ilic, P., and Carr, N. (2023, January 18\u201321). Work in Progress: Safeguarding Authenticity: Strategies for Combating AI-Generated Plagiarism in Academia. Proceedings of the 2023 IEEE Frontiers in Education Conference (FIE), College Station, TX, USA.","DOI":"10.1109\/FIE58773.2023.10343337"},{"key":"ref_35","doi-asserted-by":"crossref","unstructured":"Liu, Y. (2023, January 18\u201321). Leveraging the Power of AI in Undergraduate Computer Science Education: Opportunities and Challenges. Proceedings of the 2023 IEEE Frontiers in Education Conference (FIE), College Station, TX, USA.","DOI":"10.1109\/FIE58773.2023.10343474"},{"key":"ref_36","doi-asserted-by":"crossref","first-page":"1","DOI":"10.1145\/3617367","article-title":"\u201cIt\u2019s Weird That it Knows What I Want\u201d: Usability and Interactions with Copilot for Novice Programmers","volume":"31","author":"Prather","year":"2024","journal-title":"ACM Trans. Comput.-Hum. Interact."},{"key":"ref_37","doi-asserted-by":"crossref","unstructured":"Qureshi, B. (2023, January 9\u201311). ChatGPT in Computer Science Curriculum Assessment: An analysis of Its Successes and Shortcomings. Proceedings of the 2023 9th International Conference on E-Society, e-Learning and e-Technologies, Portsmouth, UK.","DOI":"10.1145\/3613944.3613946"},{"key":"ref_38","doi-asserted-by":"crossref","unstructured":"Raza, M.R., and Hussain, W. (2023, January 26\u201329). Preserving Academic Integrity in Teaching with ChatGPT: Practical Strategies. Proceedings of the 2023 IEEE International Conference on Web Intelligence and Intelligent Agent Technology (WI-IAT), Venice, Italy.","DOI":"10.1109\/WI-IAT59888.2023.00027"},{"key":"ref_39","doi-asserted-by":"crossref","first-page":"1","DOI":"10.1145\/3633287","article-title":"Bob or Bot: Exploring ChatGPT\u2019s Answers to University Computer Science Assessment","volume":"24","author":"Richards","year":"2024","journal-title":"ACM Trans. Comput. Educ."},{"key":"ref_40","doi-asserted-by":"crossref","unstructured":"Smolansky, A., Cram, A., Raduescu, C., Zeivots, S., Huber, E., and Kizilcec, R.F. (2023, January 20\u201322). Educator and Student Perspectives on the Impact of Generative AI on Assessments in Higher Education. Proceedings of the Tenth ACM Conference on Learning @ Scale, Copenhagen, Denmark.","DOI":"10.1145\/3573051.3596191"},{"key":"ref_41","first-page":"1","article-title":"ChatGPT in higher education: Considerations for academic integrity and student learning","volume":"6","author":"Sullivan","year":"2023","journal-title":"J. Appl. Learn. Teach."},{"key":"ref_42","first-page":"198","article-title":"Roles and functionalities of ChatGPT for students with different growth mindsets","volume":"27","author":"Tu","year":"2024","journal-title":"Educ. Technol. Soc."},{"key":"ref_43","doi-asserted-by":"crossref","unstructured":"Wang, J., Hu, H., Wang, Z., Yan, S., Sheng, Y., and He, D. (2024, January 11\u201316). Evaluating Large Language Models on Academic Literature Understanding and Review: An Empirical Study among Early-stage Scholars. Proceedings of the CHI Conference on Human Factors in Computing Systems, Honolulu, HI, USA.","DOI":"10.1145\/3613904.3641917"},{"key":"ref_44","doi-asserted-by":"crossref","unstructured":"Xie, X., and Ding, S. (2023, January 22\u201324). Opportunities, Challenges, Strategies, and Reforms for ChatGPT in Higher Education. Proceedings of the 2023 International Conference on Educational Knowledge and Informatization (EKI), Guangzhou, China.","DOI":"10.1109\/EKI61071.2023.00010"}],"container-title":["Information"],"original-title":[],"language":"en","link":[{"URL":"https:\/\/www.mdpi.com\/2078-2489\/16\/4\/296\/pdf","content-type":"unspecified","content-version":"vor","intended-application":"similarity-checking"}],"deposited":{"date-parts":[[2025,10,9]],"date-time":"2025-10-09T17:12:06Z","timestamp":1760029926000},"score":1,"resource":{"primary":{"URL":"https:\/\/www.mdpi.com\/2078-2489\/16\/4\/296"}},"subtitle":[],"short-title":[],"issued":{"date-parts":[[2025,4,8]]},"references-count":44,"journal-issue":{"issue":"4","published-online":{"date-parts":[[2025,4]]}},"alternative-id":["info16040296"],"URL":"https:\/\/doi.org\/10.3390\/info16040296","relation":{},"ISSN":["2078-2489"],"issn-type":[{"value":"2078-2489","type":"electronic"}],"subject":[],"published":{"date-parts":[[2025,4,8]]}}}