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Admit One: AI’s New Role in the Education Sector

School bells and algorithms.

Emory Odom

Contributing Writer

A recent survey by Intelligent.com found that 82% of educational institutions, including both higher education and private high schools, plan to use AI in their admissions by 2024.

The survey highlights that AI is being employed for various tasks that range from reviewing transcripts and letters of recommendation to facilitating direct communication with applicants. The adoption of AI is not just a future plan; many institutions are already using these technologies in their current operations.

Why it matters: For technology leaders, the growing use of AI in the education sector is a sign of broader changes that are relevant to the corporate world. The challenges and opportunities tied to ethical considerations, decision-making, and efficiency in educational settings have parallels in business environments. As AI becomes more integrated into critical processes, technology leaders will find themselves at the forefront of navigating these complexities. Learning from the approaches and solutions in the educational sector can provide valuable insights.

Decision-making Autonomy: Most educational institutions using AI are willing to let the technology have the final say on applicants. This brings up important questions about how much decision-making power AI systems should have within organizations.

Ethical Concerns: Two-thirds of admissions professionals are concerned about the ethical implications of using AI. This reflects similar concerns in the corporate sector about the ethical deployment of AI in hiring and decision-making.

Efficiency vs. Bias: The main driver for adopting AI is to improve efficiency, but there is also a belief that AI can help reduce bias. Balancing these two objectives is a challenge that technology leaders must navigate.

Adaptability and Future Trends: The high percentage of educational institutions planning to adopt AI by 2024 indicates the technology’s adaptability and the direction of future trends. This is crucial information for technology leaders planning their own AI implementations.