AI Revolution: Catalyst to Upgrade The Role of Universities in Africa Beyond Teaching and Research – H. Salih

Abstract

The Fourth Industrial Revolution, driven by Artificial Intelligence (AI), is transforming universities from traditional institutions of teaching and research into solution-oriented actors within knowledge-based economies. This article explores how the ongoing AI revolution acts as a catalyst in reshaping the role of African universities, pushing them beyond their core missions toward a "third mission" centered on social, economic, and environmental development. Through an analysis of emerging AI applications in higher education—ranging from personalized learning to academic assessment—the paper highlights both the challenges and opportunities associated with AI integration. Key issues include academic integrity, critical thinking, and the need for adaptive evaluation models. Drawing on global practices and contextualizing within the Middle East and Africa, the article argues that AI not only supports new models of knowledge transfer but also empowers universities to build entrepreneurial ecosystems that address local and global challenges.

Keywords: Artificial Intelligence, Higher Education, African Universities, Entrepreneurial University, Third Mission, Personalized Learning, Academic Innovation, Sustainable Development, Generative AI, Knowledge Economy

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