Generative Artificial Intelligence Policy: A Qualitative UNESCO Framework Analysis.

Saved in:
Bibliographic Details
Title: Generative Artificial Intelligence Policy: A Qualitative UNESCO Framework Analysis.
Authors: Adarkwah, Michael Agyemang1, Ercan, Amine Merve1, Schneider, Käthe1, Bayar, Ekin1
Source: Journal of University Teaching & Learning Practice. 2026 2nd Quarter, Vol. 23 Issue 2, p1-38. 38p.
Subject Terms: *Generative artificial intelligence, *Higher education, *Education ethics, *Diversity & inclusion policies, Policy analysis, Sustainability
Company/Entity: UNESCO
Abstract: Generative artificial intelligence’s (GenAI) emergence has compelled higher education leadership to design robust policies that foster safe and responsible integration and promote academic integrity. However, there is a lack of knowledge and evaluation of how higher education institutions comprehensively regulate GenAI usage. This study employed a qualitative policy analysis technique to examine the GenAI policies of thirty (30) highly ranked universities according to the Quacquarelli Symonds (QS) ranking across the top ten countries for AI preparedness. UNESCO's eight-component GenAI framework served as a lens for evaluating the robustness of the policies. The study’s findings reveal significant disparities in policy implementation. Specifically, although core ethical and governance principles are widely embraced, key issues like inclusion, equity, and sustainability, such as internet access, gender parity in AI, and environmental impact, are often overlooked. Nordic countries and New Zealand cover UNESCO’s elements more fully than some higher-ranked AI Preparedness Index (AIPI) countries, indicating that AIPI ranking does not guarantee strong GenAI policies. Notably, no public policies were found for German universities and Tallinn University of Technology. The study underscores the necessity for higher education leaders to develop more inclusive and future-oriented policies that integrate social equity, interdisciplinary experimentation, and sustainability considerations. Future studies can replicate this research by focusing on the long-term impact of the policies on university operations such as assessment, teaching, learning, research, academic performance. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]
Copyright of Journal of University Teaching & Learning Practice is the property of Open Access Publishing Association and its content may not be copied or emailed to multiple sites without the copyright holder's express written permission. Additionally, content may not be used with any artificial intelligence tools or machine learning technologies. However, users may print, download, or email articles for individual use. This abstract may be abridged. No warranty is given about the accuracy of the copy. Users should refer to the original published version of the material for the full abstract. (Copyright applies to all Abstracts.)
Database: Education Research Complete
FullText Links:
  – Type: pdflink
Text:
  Availability: 0
Header DbId: ehh
DbLabel: Education Research Complete
An: 194591160
AccessLevel: 6
PubType: Academic Journal
PubTypeId: academicJournal
PreciseRelevancyScore: 0
IllustrationInfo
Items – Name: Title
  Label: Title
  Group: Ti
  Data: Generative Artificial Intelligence Policy: A Qualitative UNESCO Framework Analysis.
– Name: Author
  Label: Authors
  Group: Au
  Data: <searchLink fieldCode="AR" term="%22Adarkwah%2C+Michael+Agyemang%22">Adarkwah, Michael Agyemang</searchLink><relatesTo>1</relatesTo><br /><searchLink fieldCode="AR" term="%22Ercan%2C+Amine+Merve%22">Ercan, Amine Merve</searchLink><relatesTo>1</relatesTo><br /><searchLink fieldCode="AR" term="%22Schneider%2C+Käthe%22">Schneider, Käthe</searchLink><relatesTo>1</relatesTo><br /><searchLink fieldCode="AR" term="%22Bayar%2C+Ekin%22">Bayar, Ekin</searchLink><relatesTo>1</relatesTo>
– Name: TitleSource
  Label: Source
  Group: Src
  Data: <searchLink fieldCode="JN" term="%22Journal+of+University+Teaching+%26+Learning+Practice%22">Journal of University Teaching & Learning Practice</searchLink>. 2026 2nd Quarter, Vol. 23 Issue 2, p1-38. 38p.
– Name: Subject
  Label: Subject Terms
  Group: Su
  Data: *<searchLink fieldCode="DE" term="%22Generative+artificial+intelligence%22">Generative artificial intelligence</searchLink><br />*<searchLink fieldCode="DE" term="%22Higher+education%22">Higher education</searchLink><br />*<searchLink fieldCode="DE" term="%22Education+ethics%22">Education ethics</searchLink><br />*<searchLink fieldCode="DE" term="%22Diversity+%26+inclusion+policies%22">Diversity & inclusion policies</searchLink><br /><searchLink fieldCode="DE" term="%22Policy+analysis%22">Policy analysis</searchLink><br /><searchLink fieldCode="DE" term="%22Sustainability%22">Sustainability</searchLink>
– Name: SubjectCompany
  Label: Company/Entity
  Group: Su
  Data: <searchLink fieldCode="DE" term="%22UNESCO%22">UNESCO</searchLink>
– Name: Abstract
  Label: Abstract
  Group: Ab
  Data: Generative artificial intelligence’s (GenAI) emergence has compelled higher education leadership to design robust policies that foster safe and responsible integration and promote academic integrity. However, there is a lack of knowledge and evaluation of how higher education institutions comprehensively regulate GenAI usage. This study employed a qualitative policy analysis technique to examine the GenAI policies of thirty (30) highly ranked universities according to the Quacquarelli Symonds (QS) ranking across the top ten countries for AI preparedness. UNESCO's eight-component GenAI framework served as a lens for evaluating the robustness of the policies. The study’s findings reveal significant disparities in policy implementation. Specifically, although core ethical and governance principles are widely embraced, key issues like inclusion, equity, and sustainability, such as internet access, gender parity in AI, and environmental impact, are often overlooked. Nordic countries and New Zealand cover UNESCO’s elements more fully than some higher-ranked AI Preparedness Index (AIPI) countries, indicating that AIPI ranking does not guarantee strong GenAI policies. Notably, no public policies were found for German universities and Tallinn University of Technology. The study underscores the necessity for higher education leaders to develop more inclusive and future-oriented policies that integrate social equity, interdisciplinary experimentation, and sustainability considerations. Future studies can replicate this research by focusing on the long-term impact of the policies on university operations such as assessment, teaching, learning, research, academic performance. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]
– Name: AbstractSuppliedCopyright
  Label:
  Group: Ab
  Data: <i>Copyright of Journal of University Teaching & Learning Practice is the property of Open Access Publishing Association and its content may not be copied or emailed to multiple sites without the copyright holder's express written permission. Additionally, content may not be used with any artificial intelligence tools or machine learning technologies. However, users may print, download, or email articles for individual use. This abstract may be abridged. No warranty is given about the accuracy of the copy. Users should refer to the original published version of the material for the full abstract.</i> (Copyright applies to all Abstracts.)
PLink https://search.ebscohost.com/login.aspx?direct=true&site=eds-live&db=ehh&AN=194591160
RecordInfo BibRecord:
  BibEntity:
    Languages:
      – Code: eng
        Text: English
    PhysicalDescription:
      Pagination:
        PageCount: 38
        StartPage: 1
    Subjects:
      – SubjectFull: Generative artificial intelligence
        Type: general
      – SubjectFull: Higher education
        Type: general
      – SubjectFull: Education ethics
        Type: general
      – SubjectFull: Diversity & inclusion policies
        Type: general
      – SubjectFull: Policy analysis
        Type: general
      – SubjectFull: Sustainability
        Type: general
      – SubjectFull: UNESCO
        Type: general
    Titles:
      – TitleFull: Generative Artificial Intelligence Policy: A Qualitative UNESCO Framework Analysis.
        Type: main
  BibRelationships:
    HasContributorRelationships:
      – PersonEntity:
          Name:
            NameFull: Adarkwah, Michael Agyemang
      – PersonEntity:
          Name:
            NameFull: Ercan, Amine Merve
      – PersonEntity:
          Name:
            NameFull: Schneider, Käthe
      – PersonEntity:
          Name:
            NameFull: Bayar, Ekin
    IsPartOfRelationships:
      – BibEntity:
          Dates:
            – D: 01
              M: 04
              Text: 2026 2nd Quarter
              Type: published
              Y: 2026
          Identifiers:
            – Type: issn-print
              Value: 14499789
          Numbering:
            – Type: volume
              Value: 23
            – Type: issue
              Value: 2
          Titles:
            – TitleFull: Journal of University Teaching & Learning Practice
              Type: main
ResultId 1