Cognitive Metamorphosis in Higher Education: AI-LTs Nexus of DeepSeek, GPT, and the Future of Scholarly Engagement

Artificial Intelligence based Learning Tools (AI-LTs) are rapidly transforming higher education by enhancing teaching, learning, and administration. This study systematically reviews peer-reviewed literature from 2020 to 2024 to explore the roles, benefits, and challenges of AI-LTs such as DeepSeek, ChatGPT, Meta AI, and Gemini. Using a qualitative methodology, we identified and analyzed studies from Scopus and Web of Science databases, applying rigorous selection and data extraction criteria. Findings reveal that AI-LTs significantly improve personalized learning, student engagement, and administrative efficiency but also raise ethical concerns including algorithmic bias and data privacy risks. The study emphasizes the need for responsible AI integration through faculty training, transparent algorithms, and human-AI collaboration. Future research should focus on primary empirical studies to validate AI-LTs impacts in diverse educational contexts.