A Conceptual Framework for Integrating Generative AI in Education through Ethical, Instructional, and Pedagogical Balance

The emergence of Generative AI presents both opportunities and challenges, especially in technology enhanced learning (TEL) and open and distance learning (ODL). Guidance remains fragmented, with ethical safeguards, instructional design, and pedagogy often treated separately. This study identifies key indicators and synthesises integration of the Generative AI Integrated Framework for Education, GAIIFE, structured around three interdependent pillars: Ethical Considerations (EC), Instructional Development (ID), and Pedagogical Approach (PA). Using conceptual framework development to derive key dimensions from 17 papers, followed by a simplified Qualitative Comparative Analysis (QCA), two contrasting frameworks were compared to identify which dimensions were present or absent. One framework emphasises ethics, the other instructional design, and both omit pedagogical grounding. The Generative AI Integrated Framework for Education (GAIIFE) integrates ethical integrity, instructional alignment, and learner centred pedagogy to guide responsible Generative AI integration across educational contexts, with relevance for TEL and ODL. The framework contributes to equitable education by offering a practical guide for responsible Generative AI integration.