The digital transformation of higher education is reshaping teaching, research, and institutional culture. This chapter explores researchers’ and lecturers’ perceptions of AI in higher education, based on two international focus groups across six countries. Conducted within an Erasmus+ project on human-centric AI, the qualitative study identifies seven key themes, including AI policy, integration in teaching and assessment, next-generation skills, perceived benefits, risks (e.g., bias, dependency), and ethical concerns. Findings reveal a dual dynamic: AI fosters innovation and personalization but also raises concerns about critical thinking, ethics, and inequality. Participants stress the need for transparent policies, critical AI literacy, and culturally responsive approaches. The chapter frames AI adoption as a cultural transformation requiring reflective, inclusive adaptation in global higher education.