How can AI help students get information while not replacing human interactions in the process?
Tirumala Chimpiri, senior programmer analyst and independent researcher at Stony Brook University, examines the possibilities.
Tirumala Rao Chimpiri is a Senior Programmer Analyst and Independent Researcher at Stony Brook University, NY. He is a seasoned software professional with over 26 years of experience, specializing in enterprise technology & solutions, and cloud-based applications, with a primary focus on Enterprise Resource Planning (ERP). Actively engaged in the tech community, he serves as a committee member for various national and international conferences, as well as a reviewer and judge for industry awards evaluating innovative technologies. His publications on ERP, Higher Education, Artificial Intelligence, and cloud computing have been featured in prestigious technology journals, highlighting his contributions to ERP and Higher Education.
How AI Can Reshape Universities’ Student Information Systems
Universities aim to manage student data and processes with clear objectives. These are- improving the student experience, streamlining administration, and enabling data-driven decisions.
However, achieving these goals can sometimes conflict. Improving the student experience often requires extensive personalized support, while administrative processes must be streamlined. These competing priorities are common in higher education.
In my recent research, I examined the potential impact of AI-driven automation on administration systems, and found that rather than replacing human involvement in systems, AI can reshape that. Traditional Student Information Systems are constrained by siloed data and outdated infrastructure. However, AI could turn them into proactive and highly personalized tools.
Some universities have already begun to use AI to automate processes like grading. However, its full potential goes beyond—it can tackle tasks from optimizing enrollment management to personalizing academic advising sessions, for example. To make the most of AI, universities need to assess how it can be integrated across every student touchpoint.
At the same time, universities should strictly remember that AI is not meant to replace human involvement. Faculty and staff play crucial roles in providing mentorship, and a connection with their students, which cannot be replicated by AI. Rather, AI should be used as a supplement to help streamline routine tasks and provide students with timely interventions, giving human staff and educators more time to focus on valuable activities that drive student success.
When used appropriately, AI-powered SIS systems can provide universities with deeper insights into student success, retention rates, and create efficient administrative services. By integrating AI across most processes, universities can deliver a much more personalized experience for students while also ensuring operational efficiency.
Leave a Reply