Ethics in the Era of ChatGPT: A Bibliometric Analysis of the Transformative Trajectory of Emerging Trends in Artificial Intelligence in Academic Research

Generative AI like ChatGPT is transforming education and research rapidly. This study focuses on ethical considerations surrounding ChatGPT in academic research through a comprehensive bibliometric analysis of 245 research articles published between 2019–2024, collected from the Scopus database. The study uncovers a substantial surge in publications with a steep increase from 2023, peaking in 2024. Notably, prominent nations such as the USA and the UK lead in publications, with significant contributions from other countries, including Australia and China. Additionally, countries such as the UK, Australia, and the USA are among the top three producers of scholarly articles on generative AI. The study revealed current trends in the adoption of AI in academic settings, emphasizing the growing importance of ethical concerns. These findings offer a foundation for scholars, educators, and decision-makers to contemplate ethical and responsible practices in the context of AI's expanding role in academia.