AI and Academic Productivity: Evaluating Its Impact on Research Output in Kurdistan’s Public Universities

The use of Artificial Intelligence (AI) within public educational institutions creates a paradigm shift that produces elevated academic performance quality in addition to boosted research outputs. This study examines the effects of AI technology on public university productivity levels in the Kurdistan Region of Iraq, specifically analyzing the relationship between AI knowledge and estimated advantages and moral concerns affecting research performance. The study employs AI as its independent variable through three separate analysis dimensions: AI awareness and usage behaviors; perceived benefits from AI implementations; and related ethical challenges. Research productivity and research performance outcomes serve as the two components through which the dependent variable, academic productivity, is measured. The study used a structured questionnaire to collect data from 11,641 permanent academicians and staff members at public universities in the Kurdistan Region. A total of 320 questionnaires were returned, of which 314 were valid and used for the analysis. To achieve the research objectives, the researchers adopted a descriptive and analytical approach. The study provides data that can enable educational leaders to develop policies and design institutional practices for adopting AI in pursuit of scientific progress and academic sustainability. The research evaluates the relationship between AI technology usage and productivity measures, advancing the digital transformation discussion in higher education practices.