Artificial Intelligence and the Future of University Education in Iran

The emergence of artificial intelligence (AI) within the context of the fourth industrial revolution has become a significant trend for societies worldwide.  Methods of university education, as a crucial social structure, has always been influenced by technological advancements. However, AI has revolutionized university education at a rapid pace, with profound and extensive implications. The main question of this article was how AI expansion will impact the future of university education in Iran. To address this inquiry, various related questions are addressed, including global trends of AI in university education, the perspectives of Iranian academics on the influence of AI in university education, uncertainties arising from AI integration in Iranian university education, and the potential scenarios for Iran's university education under the shadow of AI. To answer these questions, the research employed several methodologies, such as trend analysis, expert panel discussions, brainstorming sessions, structural-interpretive analysis, and scenario development. The findings revealed that a national consensus on AI has not been established in Iran, consequently hindering the development of adequate legal, software, and hardware infrastructure. There is a need for an in-depth review of AI, its functions, and its effectiveness in university education in order to foster a comprehensive understanding of its implications.