The transition of generative AI from an analytical to a creative tool is profoundly reshaping global education. This study employs CiteSpace for a scientometric analysis of relevant literature, identifying key research domains—“higher education,” “human-AI collaboration,” and “educational innovation”—and tracing their evolution. A comparative examination of approaches in the UK, US, and Australia highlights international variations in governance, assessment, and pedagogical integration. The analysis details GenAI’s transformative impact on key educational processes (teaching, learning, assessment, tutoring) via its core capabilities, while also addressing associated risks like data privacy, ethical dilemmas, and over-reliance. Concluding with a China-specific perspective, the paper proposes a forward-looking framework emphasizing human-centric principles, robust accountability, sustainable data ecosystems, and synergistic development, offering insights for intelligent education development worldwide.