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REVIEW article

Front. Educ.

Sec. Higher Education

Volume 10 - 2025 | doi: 10.3389/feduc.2025.1656518

This article is part of the Research TopicArtificial Intelligence in Educational and Business Ecosystems: Convergent Perspectives on Agency, Ethics, and TransformationView all 7 articles

Cross-border Higher Education Cooperation under the Dual Context of Artificial Intelligence and Geopolitics: Opportunities, Challenges, and Pathways

Provisionally accepted
  • 1Yunnan Agricultural University, Kunming, China
  • 2Fudan University, Shanghai, China

The final, formatted version of the article will be published soon.

This paper examines the profound impact of artificial intelligence (AI) and geopolitics on crossborder higher education cooperation. AI has the potential to enhance educational accessibility and collaboration efficiency by enabling personalized learning, virtual classrooms, open resource platforms, and open-source research collaborations, ultimately helping bridge global educational gaps. However, significant challenges arise, such as techno-nationalism (e.g., semiconductor export controls), data sovereignty conflicts (e.g., GDPR restrictions), divergent algorithmic values, and the expanding digital divide. To address these challenges, this study proposes several solutions: the creation of an inclusive technological ecosystem (including open-source platforms, shared computing power, and crosscultural models); the development of mutual recognition mechanisms (such as data stratification and standard harmonization); the strengthening of South-South cooperation through digital public goods; and the reconstruction of ethical consensus, emphasizing cultural diversity and human-in-the-loop principles. Notably, China has actively contributed to these efforts through technological empowerment (e.g., National Smart Education Platform, Luban Workshops), regulatory input (e.g., Global Governance Initiative), and infrastructure support.Looking ahead, the paper argues for the establishment of an "Intelligent Education Community," guided by the principles of "extensive consultation, joint contribution, shared benefits, and wise governance," to ensure that AI advances global educational equity and promotes human progress.

Keywords: Artificial Intelligence1, Geopolitics2, Cross-Border Higher Education3, Digital Transformation of Education4, Global Governance5

Received: 02 Jul 2025; Accepted: 04 Aug 2025.

Copyright: © 2025 Zhu, Zhu and Xu. This is an open-access article distributed under the terms of the Creative Commons Attribution License (CC BY). The use, distribution or reproduction in other forums is permitted, provided the original author(s) or licensor are credited and that the original publication in this journal is cited, in accordance with accepted academic practice. No use, distribution or reproduction is permitted which does not comply with these terms.

* Correspondence: Yaoshun Zhu, Yunnan Agricultural University, Kunming, China

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