Five Ways AI Can Impact Higher Education

Artificial Intelligence has become an integral part of modern society, reshaping various aspects of our daily lives, work environments, and interactions. AI is impacting Higher Education as well, offering unprecedented opportunities for students, faculty, and staff.

Here are five key areas where AI is poised to revolutionise Higher Education:

1. Personalised content generation for marketing teams

In the ever-competitive Higher Education landscape, marketing teams face the challenge of capturing the attention of prospective students amidst a sea of options. AI can enable the creation of highly tailored, time-efficient communications. For example, AI-powered algorithms can analyse data from prospective students’ interactions with an institution’s website and social media accounts. By identifying patterns in their browsing behaviour, AI can generate personalised email communications tailored to each individual’s interests and preferences, a process that can be recreated at scale. AI can then empower marketing teams to effectively showcase the institution’s unique offerings, driving recruitment efforts based on personalisation.

2. Streamlining recruitment & admissions administrative processes with AI assistants

Administrative tasks for various teams, such as recruitment and admissions, can be labour-intensive and time-consuming. AI can streamline these processes by automating tasks such as admissions processing, and personalised communications. For instance, AI can recognise and flag application inconsistencies, allowing recruitment teams to focus their efforts on addressing specific issues rather than manually reviewing each application. By leveraging AI, recruitment teams can provide instant responses to inquiries about deadlines, admission requirements, and campus accommodation, improving efficiency and engagement with the prospective student.

3. Enhancing Academic Data with Career-Relevant Skills

AI can facilitate access to a wealth of resources, including recommended readings, online lectures, and supplementary materials. By analysing academic data and providing tailored recommendations to students, it becomes easier to guide them towards acquiring career-relevant skills. For example, if a student expresses an interest in data science, specific course and certification recommendations that align with this career path can be recommended. This personalised approach can foster a more dynamic and adaptive learning environment, preparing students for success.

4. AI-Powered Career Guidance and Support

Advising can be transformed through AI-driven recommendations, offering students insights into courses and career pathways. By analysing academic performance, personal interests, and labour market trends, institutions can provide students with informed guidance to navigate their academic journeys effectively. For example, specific classes, guides or mentors that are aligned to a student’s academic performance and coursework can be recommended, ultimately increasing the personalisation that positively impacts student satisfaction and retention rates.

5. Addressing Challenges and Ethical Considerations

While AI presents immense opportunities for education, it’s essential to address associated challenges, including privacy and ethical considerations. Safeguarding sensitive learner data and ensuring transparent decision-making processes are paramount. 

AI holds tremendous potential to transform Higher Education, offering innovative solutions to enhance learning experiences, streamline administrative processes, and provide personalised support to students. By embracing AI responsibly and ethically, institutions can unlock new possibilities and shape the future of education.

At Salesforce, we are committed to the Education industry, innovating our products and solutions to help universities and business schools to succeed. Our latest innovation will provide universities and business schools with the digital capacities to engage students throughout the learner lifecycle while operationalising processes for staff and faculty.