How Georgia State University Used an Algorithm to Help Students Navigate the Road to College

AI technology has come a long way — but what will it take for these automated tools to effectively replace human decision-making? In this piece, the authors discuss a research study conducted at Georgia State University in which an AI tool helped high school students with their transition to college, matching student data with text-based outreach to help students complete matriculation tasks. For example, students who did not complete the FAFSA would receive outreach, including step-by-step guidance through the process. The system leveraged artificial intelligence to handle an ever-growing set of student issues, challenges, and questions (e.g., When is orientation? Can I have a car on campus? Where do I find a work-study job?), efficiently scaling to reach large numbers of students, and getting smarter over time. This study illustrates how combining data integration with artificial intelligence can benefit any institution that relies heavily on communication with multiple important stakeholders.