The Promise and Paradox of AI in Doctoral Education.

Saved in:
Bibliographic Details
Title: The Promise and Paradox of AI in Doctoral Education.
Authors: Brown, Kelly1, Shelton, Kaye2
Source: Online Learning. Jun2026, Vol. 30 Issue 2, p82-105. 24p.
Subject Terms: *Artificial intelligence, *Doctoral degree, *Instructional systems, *Self-regulated learning, *Student development, Social psychology, Mentoring
Abstract: This paper proposes a conceptual model of adaptive artificial intelligence (AI) support for doctoral education that operationalizes supported autonomy across three interconnected dimensions of doctoral student development: cognitive, affective, and social. Each dimension represents a distinct but overlapping area where AI can provide responsive scaffolding while preserving student agency and intellectual ownership. This framework provides a structured approach to understanding how AI tools can enhance rather than diminish doctoral development when thoughtfully integrated into mentorship and supervision structures. Challenges and ethical use are addressed along with implications for doctoral programs. We suggest a balanced use of AI, a clear framework or guidelines for ethical use, and doctoral student supervision (dissertation chair) to reduce feelings of isolation, student attrition, and use of students’ time. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]
Copyright of Online Learning is the property of Online Learning Consortium 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: 194761187
AccessLevel: 6
PubType: Academic Journal
PubTypeId: academicJournal
PreciseRelevancyScore: 0
IllustrationInfo
Items – Name: Title
  Label: Title
  Group: Ti
  Data: The Promise and Paradox of AI in Doctoral Education.
– Name: Author
  Label: Authors
  Group: Au
  Data: <searchLink fieldCode="AR" term="%22Brown%2C+Kelly%22">Brown, Kelly</searchLink><relatesTo>1</relatesTo><br /><searchLink fieldCode="AR" term="%22Shelton%2C+Kaye%22">Shelton, Kaye</searchLink><relatesTo>2</relatesTo>
– Name: TitleSource
  Label: Source
  Group: Src
  Data: <searchLink fieldCode="JN" term="%22Online+Learning%22">Online Learning</searchLink>. Jun2026, Vol. 30 Issue 2, p82-105. 24p.
– Name: Subject
  Label: Subject Terms
  Group: Su
  Data: *<searchLink fieldCode="DE" term="%22Artificial+intelligence%22">Artificial intelligence</searchLink><br />*<searchLink fieldCode="DE" term="%22Doctoral+degree%22">Doctoral degree</searchLink><br />*<searchLink fieldCode="DE" term="%22Instructional+systems%22">Instructional systems</searchLink><br />*<searchLink fieldCode="DE" term="%22Self-regulated+learning%22">Self-regulated learning</searchLink><br />*<searchLink fieldCode="DE" term="%22Student+development%22">Student development</searchLink><br /><searchLink fieldCode="DE" term="%22Social+psychology%22">Social psychology</searchLink><br /><searchLink fieldCode="DE" term="%22Mentoring%22">Mentoring</searchLink>
– Name: Abstract
  Label: Abstract
  Group: Ab
  Data: This paper proposes a conceptual model of adaptive artificial intelligence (AI) support for doctoral education that operationalizes supported autonomy across three interconnected dimensions of doctoral student development: cognitive, affective, and social. Each dimension represents a distinct but overlapping area where AI can provide responsive scaffolding while preserving student agency and intellectual ownership. This framework provides a structured approach to understanding how AI tools can enhance rather than diminish doctoral development when thoughtfully integrated into mentorship and supervision structures. Challenges and ethical use are addressed along with implications for doctoral programs. We suggest a balanced use of AI, a clear framework or guidelines for ethical use, and doctoral student supervision (dissertation chair) to reduce feelings of isolation, student attrition, and use of students’ time. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]
– Name: AbstractSuppliedCopyright
  Label:
  Group: Ab
  Data: <i>Copyright of Online Learning is the property of Online Learning Consortium 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=194761187
RecordInfo BibRecord:
  BibEntity:
    Identifiers:
      – Type: doi
        Value: 10.24059/olj.v30i2.5842
    Languages:
      – Code: eng
        Text: English
    PhysicalDescription:
      Pagination:
        PageCount: 24
        StartPage: 82
    Subjects:
      – SubjectFull: Artificial intelligence
        Type: general
      – SubjectFull: Doctoral degree
        Type: general
      – SubjectFull: Instructional systems
        Type: general
      – SubjectFull: Self-regulated learning
        Type: general
      – SubjectFull: Student development
        Type: general
      – SubjectFull: Social psychology
        Type: general
      – SubjectFull: Mentoring
        Type: general
    Titles:
      – TitleFull: The Promise and Paradox of AI in Doctoral Education.
        Type: main
  BibRelationships:
    HasContributorRelationships:
      – PersonEntity:
          Name:
            NameFull: Brown, Kelly
      – PersonEntity:
          Name:
            NameFull: Shelton, Kaye
    IsPartOfRelationships:
      – BibEntity:
          Dates:
            – D: 01
              M: 06
              Text: Jun2026
              Type: published
              Y: 2026
          Identifiers:
            – Type: issn-print
              Value: 24725749
          Numbering:
            – Type: volume
              Value: 30
            – Type: issue
              Value: 2
          Titles:
            – TitleFull: Online Learning
              Type: main
ResultId 1