improving academic advising, as seen with the University of Michigan’s UM-GPT platform, which enhances advisor-student interactions by compiling data on student needs.
AI also fosters collaboration and peer learning at Carnegie Mellon University, where tools form
study groups based on complementary strengths and weaknesses. As someone working in Institutional Effectiveness and Research, I am excited about AI's potential to process vast amounts of data and generate actionable insights quickly, enabling timelier, data-informed decision-making.
College Student Expectations
Studies have shown that college students generally hold positive attitudes toward AI and are optimistic about its potential to enhance their educational experience. According to a 2024 survey conducted by Educause, a nonprofit organization focused on technology in higher education, 68 percent of college students believe that AI can have a positive impact on their academic performance. Additionally, 72 percent of students expressed interest in using AI-powered tools to support their learning, citing benefits such as personalized feedback, adaptive learning experiences, and improved study efficiency. These tools are also more accessible for students than ever before with a recently released free version of Chat GTP 4.0 having the ability to engage in live conversations and reasoning across 50 languages to act as a personal tutor.
Today’s college students increasingly expect their campuses to leverage these technologies to deliver customized learning experiences. This includes AI-powered tutoring systems that adapt to individual learning styles, intelligent chabots that provide instant access to information and resources, and predictive analytics that identify potential areas of
academic difficulty and recommend targeted
interventions. Additionally, college students expect AI to help streamline burdensome responsibilities such as navigating financial aid (a difficulty especially for first-generation students) and automating course registration to facilitate a frictionless user experience to these administrative processes.
College students are also increasingly invested in AI's role in career preparation and job placement. As they transition into the job market, students are beginning to expect AI-driven career services to help them identify career pathways, enhance relevant skills, and connect with employment opportunities across all sectors and fields.
A 2023 report from the World Economic Forum emphasized the need to use AI tools within career services to significantly improve job matching and gainful employment for college graduates. AI literacy was also cited as the 6th highest individual skillset that companies look for in today’s workforce. Within the next six years, the World Economic Forum estimates AI-related jobs will lead to an estimated $15.7 trillion growth in global GDP. These trends corroborate an early 2017 study by McKinsey Global Institute that stated AI would contribute to the creation of 20 - 50 million new jobs across finance, healthcare, and technology by 2030.
Studies have shown that college students generally hold positive attitudes toward AI and are optimistic about its potential to enhance their educational experience.
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