The landscape of higher education is evolving rapidly, driven in large by part by the ability of artificial intelligence (AI) to reshape the way colleges and universities operate, from personalized learning experiences to enhancing administrative efficiency.
To help industry professionals gain a better understanding of the opportunities and considerations surrounding the implementation of AI on campus, Liaison recently hosted a webinar, “Beyond the Buzz: What AI Means for Higher Education,” that explored and explained a wide range of critical concepts. Among other topics, our panel of experts discussed the role of AI in higher ed, the importance of responsible data practices, and the application and evaluation of new technologies.
As noted by Liaison’s Senior Director of Client Success Traci Roble, “No matter where you are on the AI knowledge scale, whether you’re an educator or administrator, you will gain something from this conversation.”
“Deep learning” in action
Andy Hannah, president of Othot, Liaison’s AI and data science solution, helped kick things off by providing a comprehensive overview that challenged participants to expand their view of what AI entails. “AI is not just about generative AI or ChatGPT,” he said, “but a combination of deep learning, computer vision, natural language processing, and machine learning.”
For example, Hannah highlighted the power of AI to inform better decision making through predictive analytics, using the example of forecasting a student’s likelihood to enroll. However, he also pointed out that the implementation of AI is not without ethical considerations. Hannah stressed the importance of maintaining human control and ensuring transparency, trust, and bias mitigation in order to ensure the responsible and efficient use of AI applications.
Regarding the practical aspects of implementing new technology, Dr. Mark Voortman, Liaison’s chief data scientist, offered insights on preparing institutions for AI. Voortman emphasized the need for clear goals, designated team roles, and robust data collection practices. Yet he said it is usually possible to get started with the data you already have. “Even if you have limited data, there are opportunities to use that data in a model.”
Voortman also elaborated on the idea of “explainable AI,” which provides transparency into the factors driving AI-based decisions.
Holistic admissions
In addition, panelists exchanged ideas about the importance of AI-informed holistic review, which involves combining predictive models with qualitative assessments to make more informed admissions decisions. As Voortman said, “The holistic model allows you to change your admission standards or how you look at candidates. With holistic admissions, you look at the full picture of a candidate, and not just a test score, a geographic location, or another limited set of information.”
Later, Dr. Art Munin, Liaison’s AVP for enrollment management solutions, outlined his perspective on the current landscape of AI in higher education, emphasizing the potential of AI to unify data across different campus departments. He said that, in turn, enables proactive outreach to support students before they reach a crisis point.
“AI can help us identify students who need assistance before they reach a crisis point,” he said. Munin also focused on the role of AI in challenging institutional biases and improving student engagement. He encouraged institutions to evaluate AI tools carefully, considering factors such as the solution’s track record, transparency, and the use of institutional-specific data.
To hear their thoughts in detail and learn more about how Liaison brings AI to campuses, watch the on-demand version of Beyond the Buzz now.