Journal of Development Communication And Applied Theatre

Artificial intelligence (AI), particularly generative AI, is increasingly influencing research and academic writing in higher education, raising questions about authorship, originality, intellectual responsibility, and academic integrity. These issues are important in Theatre Arts scholarship, where research depends on interpretation, critical reasoning, creative inquiry, contextual understanding, and close engagement with dramatic texts and performances. This article examines the implications of AI-assisted scholarship for authorship and originality in Theatre Arts within Nigerian higher education. The study adopts a qualitative conceptual approach based on a review and analysis of relevant literature on artificial intelligence, academic integrity, authorship, digital humanities, higher education, and Theatre and Performance Studies. Guided by Media Ecology Theory, the article examines how AI technologies influence research practices, academic writing, knowledge production, and scholarly responsibility. The analysis shows that AI can support legitimate academic activities, including information organisation, language improvement, research planning, idea generation, and access to scholarly materials. However, when students and researchers allow AI systems to undertake substantial intellectual tasks such as developing arguments, interpreting texts, evaluating evidence, or producing complete academic works without meaningful human involvement, AI assistance becomes intellectual substitution. The article argues that responsible use of AI requires clear authorship, human judgement, source verification, transparency, and adherence to academic integrity. It recommends AI literacy, revised assessment practices, responsible-use guidelines, and stronger research training within Theatre Arts education. The article contributes to discussions on AI, authorship, originality, Theatre Arts pedagogy, digital humanities, and academic integrity in Nigerian higher education.

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