The role of higher education in developing ethical and security awareness for the responsible use of artificial intelligence

The rapid development of artificial intelligence (AI) has led to significant changes in work processes and structures, educational practices, and social relations within a short period of time. The very application of AI enhances efficiency, innovation, and access to information; however, it also raises serious concerns about ethics, security, and data privacy protection. The aim of this paper is to analyze the role of higher education in shaping ethical and security awareness within academic processes that use artificial intelligence as a tool. The primary task of the academic community is to ensure the responsible, secure, and transparent use of artificial intelligence in everyday practice through curricula design and pedagogical approaches. Joint efforts of the research sector, international organizations, and academic networks towards establishing new standards should focus on creating frameworks that enable the development of academic professionals capable of using AI tools safely and in accordance with ethically acceptable codes of conduct. Survey results show that most universities in Western Europe have already established programs addressing ethical and security aspects of AI technologies, while universities in Southeastern Europe are still in the process of developing institutional policies in this regard. Therefore, this paper proposes a model for integrating AI ethics and security into educational processes in higher education of Southern European countries, as well as the establishment of ethics committees at the institutional level, which would contribute to the responsible use of artificial intelligence in higher education institutions in the future.