Bridging Ethics and Regulation: A Conceptual Framework for Governing Generative AI in Higher Education

The rapid adoption of generative artificial intelligence (GenAI) in higher education has outpaced institutional readiness, creating urgent ethical and regulatory challenges that threaten academic integrity, data privacy, and educational equity. While global frameworks like UNESCO’s Guidance for Generative AI in Education (2023) advocate for human-centric design, and national laws such as FERPA mandate student data protection, no existing model systematically integrates these domains into a cohesive governance structure. This study addresses this critical gap by proposing the Ethico-Regulatory Governance (ERG) Framework, a conceptual model designed to bridge global ethics with local compliance. Developed through a systematic synthesis of 68 peer-reviewed studies, policy documents, and institutional guidelines, the ERG Framework consists of four interlocking layers: Foundational Principles (UNESCO values), Regulatory Anchors (FERPA/GDPR alignment), Institutional Mechanisms (audits, disclosure, training), and Pedagogical Integration (process-based assessment, prompt engineering). The framework transforms abstract principles into actionable practices, enabling institutions to move beyond reactive policies toward proactive, accountable governance. Key findings demonstrate that effective AI integration requires not only technical oversight but also stakeholder co-design, bias mitigation, and continuous feedback loops. By operationalizing ethics through enforceable mechanisms, the ERG Framework offers a scalable, adaptable solution for universities navigating the complexities of GenAI. Its implementation can safeguard core academic values while fostering innovation, ensuring that AI serves as a partner—not a replacement—for human judgment in teaching, learning, and research.