The Role of Digital Transformation and Artificial Intelligence in Higher Education

Education plays a crucial role in the economic, social, cultural, and political development of nations. With the rapid advancement of technologies, learning and teaching methods are continuously evolving. Innovations such as the Internet of Things (IoT), virtual reality, augmented reality, the metaverse, digital twins, generative artificial intelligence, and cloud computing are transforming personalized and interactive learning experiences. Effective teaching strategies now offer high-quality, tailored learning pathways that leverage smart technologies. E-learning and intelligent learning have emerged as significant trends in educational technology, creating engaging environments that provide digital content and foster collaboration between educators and students. Digital transformation has become a central theme in this evolution, with AI and IoT poised to revolutionize education. Recent years have seen digital innovations applied across various sectors, including healthcare, agriculture, and transportation, with higher education facing unique challenges due to the diversity and complexity of its programs. The IoT facilitates the creation of smart classrooms, while AI enhances learning and teaching methodologies. This paper aims to highlight the critical role of digital transformation and artificial intelligence in advancing higher education, exploring both their benefits and the challenges they present.