AI in Higher Education: A Tool for Student Success The article "Using AI to help more college students graduate" highlights a powerful application of artificial intelligence (AI) in higher education: improving graduation rates. John Jay College, in partnership with DataKind, used an AI model to identify students at risk of dropping out, allowing advisors to provide proactive, targeted support. This initiative saw a remarkable increase in the senior graduation rate, from 54% to 86%.
This case study demonstrates that when used ethically and thoughtfully, AI can be a transformative tool. Itโs not about replacing the human element of education but enhancing it. The AI model acted as a "force multiplier" for academic advisors, helping them focus their limited time and resources on the students who needed them most. This is a critical point, as it reframes AI from a job-stealer to a partner in human-centered work.
Key Takeaways and Questions for Discussion
-
The Power of Proactive Intervention: The success at John Jay College came from using AI to move from a reactive to a proactive advising model. Instead of waiting for a student to fall behind, the college could intervene early. How might this proactive approach be applied to other areas of student life, such as mental health support or career guidance?
-
The Role of Transparency and Trust: The article emphasizes the importance of co-creating the solution and building trust with the community, including students and faculty. What are the potential ethical pitfalls of using predictive AI in education, and how can institutions ensure transparency and prevent bias in these models?
-
Scaling the Impact: With support from Google.org, this model is now being scaled to six more CUNY campuses. What challenges do you think these new institutions might face in replicating John Jay's success, and how can the "playbook" they are developing help overcome these barriers?
What are your thoughts on using AI to identify at-risk students? Do you see this as a positive development, or are there concerns you would have?
What are your thoughts on using AI to identify at-risk students? Do you see this as a positive development, or are there concerns you would have?
Click Here to read more about the case study!
