Purpose This study explored stakeholders’ perceptions on transforming and advancing sustainable development goals in higher education institutions through artificial intelligence. Design/methodology/approach It adopted a qualitative case study research design by eliciting the perceptions of 33 stakeholders, who were purposefully drawn from two different public universities. Thematic analysis was utilized to analyze emergent themes in this study. This was supported with field notes and documentation. Findings The findings showed that artificial intelligence significantly enhanced sustainable development goals in higher education institutions by improving accessibility, increasing productivity, promoting personalized learning, simplifying research, fostering decision-making and promoting global citizenship. However, stakeholders encounter challenges related to data privacy and security, ethical issues, inadequate digital literacy and limited resources. To address these issues, it is essential for governments and higher education institution leaders to ensure effective data security and privacy, promote digital literacy, support robust research and increase funding. Research limitations/implications The study was confined to two public universities in Lagos State. The choice of these universities is premised on the fact that they have produced several graduates who have been contributing to national development. Practical implications The integration of artificial intelligence in higher education institutions can aid in achieving sustainable development goals, adapting to global changes and producing graduates capable of fostering sustainable development worldwide. Originality/value This study is distinctive, as it examines the perceptions of a diverse range of stakeholders, including students, faculty and administrators, within a single study.
Adewale et al. (Mon,) studied this question.