AI, particularly in the form of ChatGPT, has sparked a surge of analysis in higher education regarding the potential opportunities and risks associated with these powerful technologies, reports Times Higher Education. While the global conversation primarily revolves around the future impact of AI, universities and students both are already making use of it in various areas.
ChatGPT's advanced conversational abilities have significantly improved interactions in student support services. Chatbots are being used to provide personal support, counseling, and tutoring, offering students access to round-the-clock guidance.
AI tools have revolutionized the way researchers conduct literature searches. New products like Connected Papers, Inciteful, LitMaps, and ResearchRabbit provide user-friendly visualizations of papers related to specific search terms. These tools offer assistance in identifying influential papers and visualizing citation networks.
Besides research, universities have also started using AI to help with the admissions process, as reported by Inside Higher Ed. Maryville University, a small private college in Missouri, is one of these institutions. Starting in September, the university will be using AI to review applicants' transcripts. Phil Komarny, the chief innovation officer at Maryville, emphasizes that their use of AI goes beyond automating transcript reviews. By leveraging AI, admissions officers can focus their time on other tasks.
This shift represents a broader change in higher education’s approach to AI, moving from "control" to "community" and embracing a data-driven mindset. Universities such as Maryville and many others see the potential of AI in optimizing operations and enhancing overall efficiency.