Journal of Modern Medical

Introduction: This study was designed to examine the impact of artificial intelligence (AI) and blockchain technology on the development of educational technology in higher education, with an emphasis on comparing the strength of their effects and analyzing potential synergistic or conflicting mechanisms between these two technologies at Hakim Sabzevari University.

Methods: This research was applied and descriptive-survey in design, and 208 educational staff and faculty members of Hakim Sabzevari University participated. Data were collected using a self-report questionnaire consisting of 56 items based on a Likert scale. Data analysis was performed using descriptive statistics and partial least squares-based structural equation modeling in SPSS and LISREL to simultaneously assess direct and moderating relationships among the variables.

Results: Findings indicated that both AI (standardized effect coefficient = 0.57) and blockchain technology (standardized effect coefficient = 0.83) had positive and significant effects on educational technology development, with the effect of blockchain being significantly stronger than that of AI. Moreover, contrary to critical literature suggesting structural conflict between data centralization in AI and the inherently decentralized nature of blockchain, empirical data showed no suppressive effect and a potential synergy between these two technologies in the educational context.

Discussion: For effective digital transformation, higher education systems require a strategic integration of AI and blockchain. Policymakers should design hybrid architectures in which AI operates within analytical layers and blockchain functions in validation and data management layers, rather than following parallel approaches.