Generative artificial intelligent tools have impacted higher education worldwide providing both opportunities and challenges. These tools offer transformative potential by enhancing teaching, learning, and administrative processes. However, the advancement in large language models with the ability to perform complex natural-language processing tasks encouraged students to use in different course work leading to risks of academic dishonesty. The effects of biases on these tools are still unclear. Moreover, use of generative AI designs and photos in art-related disciplines is another challenge. Until now, universities have been taking different approaches to integrate the use of this technology into academic policies. This paper seeks to provide an overview of research on the influence of generative AI tools on higher education through a systematic approach. 4950 publications were initially identified for the period between 2022 And 2025. This paper highlights the main findings of the review study focusing on students’ perception of these tools, influence on their performance, and governing policies. It is found that these tools are reshaping the academic world, yet universities are still lagging in their integration.