Next-Gen Learning in the UAE: AI and Metaverse Solutions for Sustainable Higher Education in Communication Studies

الملخص

This research investigates the role of artificial intelligence and Metaverse technologies within higher education in the UAE with a focus on its relevance to Communication and Media Studies disciplines. The main aim of this research is to investigate whether these technologies can contribute to the creation of an education that is more inclusive of SoDs. Both the accessibility and preparedness of the students, teachers and institutions to utilize these technologies was measured. Through interviewing 12 individuals from universities within the UAE, it was revealed that AI technologies can help to increase the accessibility of higher education for SoDs, as the Metaverse has allowed for the creation of immersive environments that have helped to insert SoDs into the classroom. However, challenges exist in relation to the preparedness of teachers to implement these technologies, ethical considerations, data privacy and the costs of implementing these technologies within universities. To better serve the targeted students within these universities, changes to the existing policies and the allocation of resources to those universities is required. Such changes would involve the implementation of digital resources that are accessible to all students within the universities, as well as the allocation of resources to upgrade the existing infrastructure and staff within those institutions.