New research reveals a critical gap between AI enthusiasm and operational readiness in higher education
GUEST COLUMN | by Brent Ramdin
VISUAL GENERATION INC
Higher education is standing at the front edge of an artificial intelligence (AI) revolution and that is good news. Colleges and universities are experimenting with AI in admissions, enrollment, and even classroom design. Optimism is high. But readiness has not yet caught up.
‘Colleges and universities are experimenting with AI in admissions, enrollment, and even classroom design. Optimism is high. But readiness has not yet caught up.’
That gap matters. The first touchpoints with a prospective student, from marketing to enrollment communications, set the tone for the entire journey. When those moments are powered by AI thoughtfully and transparently, they can feel seamless, personalized, and empowering.
The Reality of AI Readiness
The 2025 Marketing and Enrollment Management AI Readiness Report released by UPCEA and EducationDynamics clearly outlines the opportunity and challenge. While institutions are ready to embrace innovation, only 21 percent believe they lead in AI adoption. More than half do not consider themselves leaders at all, and a third worry they are falling behind peers.
This is not cause for alarm. It is a call to action. The institutions leading tomorrow will not be those who deploy AI the fastest. They will be the ones building deliberate strategies that meet students where they are, turning AI from a tool into a trusted extension of their student experience.
When AI Accelerates the Journey
Imagine a working parent researching evening program options at 11 p.m. when staff aren’t in the office. Instead of hitting a wall, she is guided to exactly what she needs: cost clarity, schedule options, and a clear path to next steps. That is not science fiction. AI is already capable of serving students in ways that feel intuitive, immediate, and human-centered when it is designed with care.
The takeaway is simple. AI works best when institutions are transparent and purposeful in how it is used. When students know they are engaging with AI and still get accurate, timely, and relevant information, the interaction builds trust and momentum in their journey.
Principles for Adoption
The question is no longer whether higher education should use AI. The real question is how to use it responsibly, strategically, and with student trust at the center. Four principles stand out.
Start with transparency. Students deserve to know when they are interacting with AI and what it is designed to do. Transparency builds confidence.
‘Students deserve to know when they are interacting with AI and what it is designed to do. Transparency builds confidence.’
Design for the student journey. Some students want answers on demand from AI. Others need a human touch. Smart institutions create intentional on-ramps and off-ramps so students feel seen and supported every step of the way.
Keep humans at the core. AI should empower admissions teams, not replace them. The smartest schools are building super admissions teams, where technology clears the clutter so humans can lean into the most meaningful and soulful moments of the student experience.
Audit before adoption. Institutions that thrive are not chasing the latest shiny tool. They are running effective AI audits that expose gaps, set pragmatic roadmaps, and align adoption with mission. Planning and process are the prerequisites for benefit.
Building AI Into Strategy
Pressure on institutions is real. Shrinking budgets, declining enrollment, and rising expectations are not going away. AI promises efficiency and scalability at a cost leaders can afford. But efficiency alone does not transform an institution. What does? Clear strategy, intentional change management, and a commitment to putting the student first. Institutions that align AI to enrollment strategy not only reduce operational strain but also create a differentiated, student-first experience that attracts and retains learners.
That means beginning with an honest audit of where AI can create value and where human connection must remain the driver. It means designing pragmatic roadmaps so adoption is not scattershot, but tied directly to institutional goals. It means using AI to clear the noise and complexity from the student journey so staff can reinvest their energy into the moments of interaction that matter most.
AI is not the silver bullet for higher education’s challenges. But it is one of the most powerful accelerators this sector has seen in decades. Applied with focus, it enables institutions to expand access, deliver personalization at scale, and strengthen trust at the very start of the student journey.
‘AI is not the silver bullet for higher education’s challenges. But it is one of the most powerful accelerators this sector has seen in decades. Applied with focus, it enables institutions to expand access, deliver personalization at scale, and strengthen trust at the very start of the student journey.’
Leading the Innovation Curve
The opportunity in front of higher education is enormous. When applied with purpose, AI allows schools to expand access and deliver personalization at the same time. It provides a level of responsiveness that students expect while freeing staff from repetitive tasks. This creates space for humans to do what they do best: connect, listen, and inspire, while technology ensures that information and support are always available.
The future will not be written by the fastest adopters. It will be written by the boldest innovators, the institutions that integrate AI into strategy in ways that elevate efficiency and enhance the student experience.
—
Brent Ramdin is CEO of EducationDynamics (EDDY), a leading provider of marketing, reputation management, and enrollment growth solutions for over 500 colleges and universities. With more than two decades of experience in higher ed and K–12, he drives EDDY’s mission to align institutional goals with market demand while expanding student access. Ramdin earned both his MBA and bachelor’s from Florida Atlantic University and volunteers with organizations promoting postsecondary pathways. Connect with Brent on LinkedIn.
Share this:
- Click to share on Twitter (Opens in new window)
- Click to share on Facebook (Opens in new window)
- Click to share on LinkedIn (Opens in new window)
Like this:
Like Loading…
Related
Original Article Published at Edtech Digest
________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________
