Should AI be allowed in the college application process?

Survey results published this week by the higher education services firm Acuity Insights concludes that many students are benefiting from artificial intelligence, but that there’s widespread skepticism in education about the technology’s fairness.

The survey examined the attitudes of 1,000 recent applicants to higher education institutions. The company found that many students are using AI tools to streamline tasks like essay writing and organization while searching for schools. As for the admissions process, 65% of those surveyed said they didn’t use AI while applying because of concerns about fairness and the potential for AI to favor some students over others.

Only 26% of students said they favored banning AI from the admissions process, while 74% said they wanted clear guidelines on how AI can be used for college applications.

“Our findings reveal that while AI offers immense potential to enhance the application process by making it more efficient and accessible, it also raises important ethical and practical challenges,” Kelly Dore, the firm’s co-founder, said in a press release. “Students are eager for clarity and fairness, and institutions now face a pivotal moment.”