Perspectives of University of Santo Tomas (UST) Administrators toward the Use of Artificial Intelligence (AI) in Higher Education: A Study Protocol

Background: The rapid advancement of artificial intelligence (AI), particularly generative AI (GenAI), is reshaping productivity and learning experiences in higher education. While many countries have adopted clear institutional policies on AI integration, the Philippines remains in the early stages of policy development, resulting in fragmented and inconsistent guidelines across universities, such as the University of Santo Tomas (UST). As students and instructors increasingly adopt GenAI tools, opportunities emerge for enhanced academic support, personalized learning resources, and more efficient instructional preparation. At the same time, GenAI use raises concerns related to academic integrity, misinformation, equity of access, and overreliance on technology in core learning processes. Objectives: This study aims to create a study protocol that will explore UST administrators’ perceptions of the benefits and risks of AI use in higher education learning environments. Methods: A qualitative descriptive design will be employed, using semi-structured interviews with at least fifteen administrators selected through purposive sampling. Audio-recorded interviews will be transcribed verbatim and subjected to thematic analysis using NVivo software. Expected Results: Administrators from different college-level fields perceive and engage with AI across various academic contexts. Exploring these perceptions will allow guidance in the development of coherent, contextually grounded institutional policies that promote responsible GenAI use and support digital leadership in Philippine higher education.