FZF AI Platform Explores AI in Higher Education
By Guest Contributor ·
Artificial intelligence is rapidly changing how universities teach, learn, and conduct research. As higher education institutions around the world explore the opportunities and challenges of generative AI, the Faculty of Philosophy in Skopje has launched a research initiative that places these questions at the center of academic inquiry. The project, "Potentials and Challenges of the Application of Artificial Intelligence in Teaching, Learning, and Research in the Social Sciences and Humanities: A Case Study – Faculty of Philosophy, Skopje," is supported by North Macedonia's Ministry of Education and Science together with the Faculty of Philosophy. Its institutional home is the FZF AI Platform (aifzf.org), which serves as a hub for research, resources, and activities dedicated to the responsible use of artificial intelligence in higher education. Unlike many AI initiatives that focus primarily on technical implementation, this project examines how artificial intelligence influences teaching, learning, research, and academic practice within the humanities and social sciences. Rather than asking only whether AI improves education, researchers are also exploring the ethical and methodological questions that emerge when generative AI enters disciplines such as philosophy, history, pedagogy, psychology, sociology, gender studies, and related fields. This perspective reflects a growing international conversation. Organizations including UNESCO have emphasized that artificial intelligence in education should be implemented according to principles of transparency, inclusion, human oversight, and academic integrity. At the institutional level, Ss. Cyril and Methodius University has also adopted a Declaration on the responsible and constructive use of artificial intelligence in education and scientific research. The humanities and social sciences occupy a distinctive position within this discussion. These disciplines do not simply adopt new technologies—they examine their broader cultural, historical, psychological, ethical, and social implications. Understanding how AI influences critical thinking, knowledge creation, and human decision-making is becoming an increasingly important area of academic research. According to the project team, the FZF AI Platform aims to support research activities, educational materials, and practical guidance for students, educators, and researchers navigating the growing role of AI in higher education. The initiative also seeks to contribute to evidence-based discussions on academic integrity, responsible AI adoption, digital literacy, and the future of university teaching. For the Balkans, projects like this demonstrate that artificial intelligence is becoming relevant far beyond engineering and software development. Universities across the region are beginning to explore how AI can strengthen education while maintaining academic values and ethical standards. As national AI strategies continue to evolve, higher education institutions are expected to play an increasingly important role in preparing students for an AI-driven future. Rather than viewing artificial intelligence as either a threat or a solution on its own, the Faculty of Philosophy's initiative promotes a research-based approach grounded in critical thinking, responsible innovation, and interdisciplinary collaboration. As AI continues to reshape education worldwide, initiatives such as the FZF AI Platform offer an opportunity to better understand how these technologies can be integrated thoughtfully into teaching, learning, and academic research. Guest Contributor: Bobi BadarevskiInstitute for Gender Studies, Faculty of Philosophy – Ss. Cyril and Methodius University in Skopje (UKIM)