2026 ASEE Annual Conference & Exposition

The world today relies heavily on Artificial Intelligence (AI), a natural consequence of the Fifth Industrial Revolution. A rapidly emerging field in recent years is Data Science & Artificial Intelligence (DSAI), which has necessitated universities and Higher Education Institutes (HEIs) to shift their research/teaching focus to encompass these aspects. DSAI-centered initiatives involve interdisciplinary data collaboration with subject-matter experts/students, often at the intersection of AI, Machine Learning (ML), Virtual Reality (VR), and Augmented Reality (AR). Such paradigm shifts are becoming a part of globally led initiatives that aim to incorporate Education 5.0 (E.D. 5.0) competencies and Industry 5.0 (I.D. 5.0) skillsets, to meet the Society 5.0 global vision. Thus, it becomes crucial to detect the spatiotemporal evolution, as well as future growth trends of DSAI in the Fifth Industrial Revolution. A set of strategically posed Research Questions (RQs) deriving from a comprehensive literature review is identified, and a bibliometric analysis is performed on the Scopus scientific database from 2016 (the start of I.D. 5.0) to 2025 (present day), with appropriate Inclusion & Exclusion criteria to eliminate duplicate entries, to analyze and understand these patterns. From initially generic results capturing global trends, our search became further refined, targeting STEM-based (Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics) fields that incorporate engineering education elements. The obtained co-citation networks identify key factors propelling DSAI growth and innovation, namely, AI, ML, data science, data mining, deep learning, and big data. Publication trends reveal a non-linear (quadratic and cubic) temporal increase in DSAI-based research, confirming its ever-evolving relevance towards shaping research and teaching at HEIs. Computer science, engineering, medicine, and mathematics emerge as top disciplines leading this change. The United States and the United Kingdom emerge as contributors from the Global North; India and China lead these transformative initiatives from the Global South. Our work captures direct evidence of how E.D. 5.0 and I.D. 5.0 leads to the creation of DSAI 5.0, aimed at using DSAI-based methods and techniques to push mankind towards Society 5.0. With the rapid assimilation of pedagogy-based learning methods (active, experiential, inquiry-driven, project-based) involving learning via digital-twin interaction(s), instructors/educators must also understand this shift to design HEI education curricula. Students can be trained in I.D. 5.0 skillsets and E.D. 5.0 competencies, ensuring that they are perceived as valuable in the job market, post-graduation. Long-term, we envision capturing the myriad aspects of DSAI 5.0 for both global and sector-specific contexts, inspiring future work evoking thoughtful, conscientious curricula design. We aim to empower HEIs to create future generations of well-trained, ethically aware, morally responsible graduates who can act as future leaders/innovators, shaping humanity’s collective migration towards Society 5.0.