From AI adoption to AI governance: Developing a Buddhist interpretive framework for higher education

Artificial intelligence is increasingly being adopted in higher education to support teaching, learning, administration, quality assurance, and institutional planning. However, much of the current discussion remains focused on adoption, efficiency, and technological capability, with less attention to the interpretive and governance conditions required for responsible institutional use. This article addresses that gap by developing a Buddhist interpretive framework for AI governance in higher education. Drawing on a qualitative study based on semi-structured individual interviews with 16 key informants, a focus group discussion with 9 additional participants, and document analysis of relevant academic and policy literature, the study explores how AI is understood, justified, and governed within university contexts. Data were triangulated across all three sources to strengthen interpretive validity. The analysis identifies four major themes: AI as an institutional governance project; AI as a system-shaping force across core university functions; responsible AI as dependent on enabling conditions and safeguards; and an interpretive logic among participants that aligns with the four dimensions of Patisambhida. Rather than treating Buddhist thought as a symbolic ethical add-on, the article reinterprets Patisambhida as an interpretive governance architecture for AI: Attha as purpose governance, Dhamma as principle governance, Nirutti as communicative governance, and Patibhana as judgment governance. Based on this synthesis, the study proposes a Buddhist Interpretive Governance Framework that may help explain how universities can move from AI adoption toward human-centered AI governance.