HomeAbstract of 11th-icetlHigher Education In The Fifth Industrial Revolution: Human-Centred Artificial Intelligence, Epistemic Integrity, And Transformation In South Africa

Higher Education In The Fifth Industrial Revolution: Human-Centred Artificial Intelligence, Epistemic Integrity, And Transformation In South Africa

  • Jul 7, 2026
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Abstract Book of the 11th International Conference on Research in Education, Teaching and Learning

Year: 2026

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Higher Education In The Fifth Industrial Revolution: Human-Centred Artificial Intelligence, Epistemic Integrity, And Transformation In South Africa

Johannes Andreas Gerhardus Beukes

ABSTRACT:

The emergence of the Fifth Industrial Revolution (5IR) represents a significant shift in how technological innovation is conceptualized, moving beyond automation and efficiency toward human-centered, ethical, and sustainable development. Within higher education, the rapid expansion of artificial intelligence (AI) technologies is transforming teaching, research, and knowledge production, raising important questions regarding epistemic integrity, disciplinary knowledge, and the role of universities in guiding responsible technological change. This paper examines the implications of the 5IR for higher education, with particular attention to the South African context, where historical inequalities, uneven digital infrastructure, and widening participation objectives shape institutional transformation. Drawing on a theoretical synthesis of Powerful Knowledge theory, the Technological Pedagogical Content Knowledge (TPACK) framework, and the Capability Approach, the study develops a conceptual perspective for integrating AI into higher education while safeguarding disciplinary depth and human agency. The analysis argues that AI should function as an epistemic amplifier that enhances inquiry, critical reasoning, and disciplinary engagement rather than replacing human intellectual judgment. Furthermore, digital transformation should be evaluated not merely in terms of technological adoption but in relation to its capacity to expand students’ capabilities, intellectual agency, and societal participation. By aligning technological innovation with human dignity, sustainability, and epistemic integrity, higher education institutions can play a critical role in shaping responsible and socially responsive AI futures within the evolving paradigm of the Fifth Industrial Revolution.

Keywords: Artificial Intelligence, Higher Education, Epistemic Integrity, Fifth Industrial Revolution