Dual impact of AI in education: Benefits, risks and ethical considerations

Abstract

This mini-review explores the dual impact of Artificial Intelligence (AI) in education focusing on its benefits, risks and ethical challenges perspectives. The aim of this mini-review is to understand how AI is reshaping teaching, learning and administration of education institution while also confronting the issues arises. A literature search was carried out using Boolean search technique in the Scopus database drawing on studies that discussed AI in education, including original research, reviews, meta-analyses and case studies. The findings show that AI offers clear advantages. It supports personalized and adaptive learning, widens access for diverse learners, streamlines administrative tasks through automation and enriches engagement with tools like intelligent tutoring systems and generative AI. At the same time, serious risks persist such as algorithmic bias, threats to data privacy, academic dishonesty and over-reliance on AI tools that may weaken critical thinking and the teacher-student connection. Ethical considerations add further complexity, particularly around transparency, fairness, accountability and the need to preserve human agency. Debates continue on equity in resource-limited settings and on cultural biases rooted in Western-centric datasets. Significant gaps remain especially in understanding the long-term societal, cultural and emotional consequences of AI in education. In conclusion, while AI has the power to transform and democratize education, its successful integration will depend on strong ethical frameworks, inclusive policies, AI literacy and interdisciplinary collaboration to ensure innovation is balanced with equity and accountability.