Australia’s first national plan for artificial intelligence aims to upskill workers to boost productivity, but will leave the tech largely unregulated and without its own legislation to operate under.
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If you have spent time with today’s high school students, you know their college search journey looks nothing like it did ten, or even five, years ago. A glossy brochure or a well-timed postcard still has a place. However, the first “hello” increasingly comes through a digital assistant, a TikTok video, or a quick artificial intelligence–powered search.
Let us not pretend artificial intelligence (AI) is everyone’s new best friend. Some students are eager, some are eye-rolling, and plenty are stuck in the “maybe” camp. That mix of excitement and hesitation is real, and it deserves as much attention as hype.
The data is clear: nearly half of students (45 percent) have already used a digital AI assistant on a college website, with usage peaking among 9th- and 10th-graders (RNL, Halda, & Modern Campus, 2025). At the same time, a full third of students nationwide have turned to tools like ChatGPT to explore colleges, scholarships, and even essay help (RNL & Teen Voice, 2025).
This trend is playing out nationwide, with major news outlets reporting that AI chatbots are becoming a common part of the college application process, assisting students with everything from brainstorming essays to navigating deadlines (Singer, 2023).
For many students, AI is not futuristic; it is already woven into how they imagine, explore, and narrow their choices. Recent reporting confirms that AI-driven college search platforms are helping more students, especially those without access to personalized guidance, find the right fit and expand their options beyond what they might have considered on their own (Greenberg, 2025).
The RNL findings fit a much bigger story about how AI changes education. Around the world, researchers are watching students test, tinker, and sometimes wrestle with what these tools mean for learning and planning.
One line of research looks at predictive modeling. Recent studies have shown that AI-driven platforms can analyze student data, grades, extracurricular activities, and demographics to predict which students are likely to pursue college and which might need extra support (Eid, Mansouri, & Miled, 2024). By flagging students at risk of falling off the college pathway, these predictive systems allow counselors to intervene earlier, potentially changing a student’s trajectory.
Another cluster of studies zeroes in on personalized guidance. Tools built around a student’s interests and goals can recommend classes, extracurriculars, and colleges that “fit” better than a generic list. This is especially important in schools where one counselor may juggle hundreds of students (Majjate et al., 2023).
Meanwhile, students are already using AI, sometimes in ways that make their teachers nervous. A Swedish study added some nuance: the most confident students use AI the most, while those who are already unsure of their skills tend to hold back (Klarin, 2024). That raises real equity questions about who benefits.
And not all students are fans. Some research highlights concerns about privacy, over-reliance, and losing the chance to build their problem-solving muscles. It is a reminder that skepticism is not resistance for resistance’s sake but a way of protecting what matters to them.
On the institutional side, surveys suggest that many colleges are preparing to use AI in admissions, whether for transcript analysis or essay review. Recent coverage underscores that admissions offices are increasingly turning to AI tools to streamline application review, identify best-fit students, and even personalize outreach (Barnard, 2024).
If all of this feels like a promise and a warning label, it is because it is. AI can democratize access to information, but it can also amplify bias. Students know that. And they want us to take their concerns seriously.
Don’t get left behind in the AI transformation for higher education. See how RNL’s AI Education Services can help your leaders and staff unlock the full potential of AI on your campus.
As revealed by our research in The AI Divide in College Planning (RNL & Teen Voice, 2025), not all students approach artificial intelligence the same way. Four personas stand out:
The takeaway? There is no single “artificial intelligence student.” Institutions need flexible strategies that welcome the eager, reassure the cautious, and do not alienate the skeptics.
One of the most striking findings from the E-Expectations study is that students rarely stop at the chatbot (RNL, Halda, & Modern Campus, 2025). After engaging with an AI assistant, they move. Twenty-nine percent email admissions directly, 28% click deeper into the website, 27% fill out an inquiry form, and almost a quarter apply.
In other words, that little chat bubble is not just answering frequently asked questions. It is a launchpad.
Here is another twist. While most students (61%) want personalization, they want it on their terms. Nearly half prefer to filter and customize their content, while only 16% want the college to decide automatically (RNL, Halda, & Modern Campus, 2025).
That is the sweet spot for artificial intelligence: not deciding for students but giving them the levers to design their journey.
Download the complete reports from RNL and our partners to see what students are telling us directly:
From admissions automation and predictive analytics to personalized learning and AI-powered tutoring, artificial intelligence is no longer theoretical, it is operational. At large institutions, AI-driven chatbots and enrollment algorithms have already improved student engagement and reduced summer melt. Meanwhile, HBCUs, particularly smaller and underfunded ones, risk being left behind.
The imperative for HBCUs to act now is not about chasing trends about survival, relevance, and reclaiming leadership in shaping the future of Black education.
AI as a Force Aligned with the HBCU Mission
Artificial intelligence, when developed and implemented with intention and ethics, can be one of the most powerful tools for educational justice. HBCUs already do more with less. They enroll 10% of Black students in higher education and produce nearly 20% of all Black graduates. These institutions are responsible for over 25% of Black graduates in STEM fields, and they produce a significant share of Black teachers, judges, engineers, and public servants.
The power of AI can amplify this legacy.
For small HBCUs with limited staff, outdated technology, and tuition-driven models, AI can serve as a strategic equalizer. But accessing these tools requires intentional partnerships, resources, and cultural buy-in.
The Philanthropic Moment: A Unique Opportunity
The recent announcement from the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation that it plans to spend its entire $200 billion endowment by 2045 presents a monumental opportunity. The foundation has declared a sharpened focus on “unlocking opportunity” through education, including major investments in AI-powered innovations in K-12 and higher education, particularly in mathematics and student learning platforms.
One such investment is in Magma Math, an AI-driven platform that helps teachers deliver personalized math instruction. The foundation is also actively funding research and development around how AI can close opportunity gaps in postsecondary education and increase economic mobility. Their call for “AI for Equity” aligns with the HBCU mission like no other.
Now is the time for HBCUs to boldly approach philanthropic organizations like the Gates Foundation as strategic partners capable of leading equity-driven AI implementation.
Other foundations should follow suit. Lumina Foundation, Carnegie Corporation, Kresge Foundation, and Strada Education Network have all expressed interest in digital learning and postsecondary success. A targeted, collaborative initiative to equip HBCUs with AI infrastructure, training, and research capacity could be transformative.
Tech Industry Engagement: From Tokenism to True Partnership
We call on Microsoft, Salesforce, Nvidia, Coursera, Anthropic, and other major EdTech firms to go beyond surface partnerships. HBCUs are fertile ground for workforce development, AI research, and inclusive tech talent pipelines. Tech companies should invest in labs, curriculum development, student fellowships, and cloud infrastructure, especially at HBCUs without R1 status or multi-million-dollar endowments.
A Framework for Action Across HBCUs
To operate AI within the HBCU context, a few strategic steps can guide implementation:
1. AI Capacity Building Across Faculty and Staff
Workshops, certification programs, and summer institutes can train faculty to integrate AI into pedagogy, advising, and operations. Staff training can ensure AI tools support, not replace, relational student support.
2. Student Engagement Through Research and Internships
HBCUs can establish AI learning hubs where students gain real-world experience developing or auditing algorithms, especially those designed for educational equity.
3. AI Governance
Every HBCU adopting AI must also build frameworks for data privacy, transparency, and bias prevention. As institutions historically rooted in justice, HBCUs can lead the national conversation on ethical AI.
4. Regional and Consortial Collaboration
HBCUs can pool resources to co-purchase AI tools, share grant writers, and build regional research centers. Joint proposals to federal agencies and tech firms will yield greater impact.
5. AI in Strategic Planning and Accreditation
Institutions should embed AI as a theme in Quality Enhancement Plans (QEPs), Title III initiatives, and enrollment management strategies. AI should not be a novelty, it should be a core driver of sustainability and innovation.
Reclaiming the Future
HBCUs were built to meet an unmet need in American education. They responded to exclusion with excellence. They turned marginalization into momentum. Today, they can do it again, this time with algorithms, neural networks, and digital dashboards.
But this moment calls for bold leadership. We must go beyond curiosity and into strategy. We must demand resources, form coalitions, and prepare our institutions not just to use AI, but to shape it.
Let them define what culturally competent, mission-driven artificial intelligence looks like in real life, not in theory.
And to the Gates Foundation, Intel, OpenAI, Amazon, and all who believe in the transformative power of education: invest in HBCUs. Not as charity, but as the smartest, most impactful decision you can make for the future of American innovation.
Because when HBCUs lead, communities rise. And with AI in our hands, the next
level of excellence is well within reach.
Dr. Emmanuel Lalande currently serves as Vice President for Enrollment and Student Success and Special Assistant to the President at Voorhees University.
In today’s competitive higher education landscape, institutions can no longer afford to rely on instinct alone when it comes to academic program planning. The stakes are too high and the margin for error too slim.
Leaders are facing increasing pressure to align their portfolios with market demand, institutional mission, and student expectations — all while navigating constrained resources and shifting demographics.
The good news? You don’t have to guess. Market intelligence offers a smarter, more strategic foundation for building and refining your academic program mix.
Most institutions have at least one program that’s no longer pulling its weight — whether due to declining enrollment, outdated relevance, or oversaturated competition. At the same time, there are often untapped opportunities for growth in emerging or underserved fields.
But how do you decide which programs to scale, sustain, or sunset?
Optimizing your portfolio requires more than internal performance metrics. It calls for an external lens — one that brings into view national and regional trends, labor market signals, and consumer behavior. When done effectively, academic portfolio strategy becomes less about trial and error, and more about clarity and confidence.
The strongest portfolio strategies begin with robust external data. At Collegis Education, we draw from sources like the National Center for Education Statistics (IPEDS), Lightcast labor market analytics, and Google search trends to assess program performance, student demand, and employment outlooks.
National trends give us the big picture and a foundation to start from. But for our partners, we prioritize regional analysis — because institutions ultimately compete and serve in specific geographic contexts, even with fully online programs. Understanding what’s growing in your state or region is often more actionable than knowing what’s growing nationwide.
Our proprietary methodology filters for:
This data-driven process helps institutions avoid chasing short-term trends and instead focus on sustainable growth areas.
Higher ed is hard — but you don’t have to figure it out alone. We can help you transform challenges into opportunities.
Collegis’ latest program growth analyses — drawing from 2023 conferral data — surface a diverse mix of high-opportunity programs. While we won’t detail every entry here, a few trends stand out:
What’s most important isn’t the specific programs, it’s what they reveal: external data can confirm intuition, challenge assumptions, and unlock new strategic direction. And when paired with regional insights, these findings become even more powerful.
Having market data is just the beginning. The true value lies in how institutions use it. At Collegis, we help our partners translate insight into action through a structured portfolio development process that includes the following:
By grounding these decisions in both internal and external intelligence, institutions can future-proof their portfolios — driving enrollment, meeting workforce needs, and staying mission-aligned.
Program portfolio strategy doesn’t have to be a guessing game. With the right data and a trusted partner, institutions can make bold, confident moves that fuel growth and student success.
Whether you’re validating your instincts or exploring new academic directions, Collegis can help. Our market research and portfolio development services are built to support institutions at every step of the process — with national insights and regional specificity to guide your next move.
Higher ed is evolving — don’t get left behind. Explore how Collegis can help your institution thrive.
Universities will need to prove to future students why university degrees are worth it in an artificial intelligence (AI) knowledge economy, speakers at Sydney’s latest generative AI meeting said.
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ORLANDO, Fla. — Florida Virtual School (FLVS) is partnering with the University of Florida (UF) and the Concord Consortium to introduce a groundbreaking year-long “Artificial Intelligence (AI) in Math” supplemental certification for FLVS middle and high school students enrolled in the school’s Flex option. FLVS instructors who teach Algebra 1 will lead this innovative program, teaching the online courses while also supplementing students’ learning with activities that build students’ understanding of math and AI concepts. FLVS students enrolled in Algebra 1 who elect to earn the certification will begin April 7.
The certification will introduce students to the foundational principles of AI that intersect with core math topics while offering insights into real-world applications, ethical considerations, and career opportunities in AI-related fields. By merging 21st-century technology with education, the program aims to boost students’ math skills, cultivate positive attitudes toward mathematics, and expose them to the rapidly evolving AI landscape.
“As a leader in online education for more than 27 years, Florida Virtual School is committed to being at the forefront of educational innovation,” said Dr. Louis Algaze, president and CEO of Florida Virtual School. “By partnering with the University of Florida and the Concord Consortium, we are equipping our students with essential math skills and the knowledge to navigate and succeed in an AI-enhanced world.”
The certification also includes a collaborative feedback loop between FLVS teachers and UF and Concord Consortium researchers. Teachers will provide critical insights into the online course structure and student outcomes, helping to refine and improve the certification’s effectiveness for future online learners.
“AI is revolutionizing industries worldwide, creating new opportunities,” said Jie Chao, project director at the Concord Consortium. “Our partnership with FLVS allows us to offer robust AI learning opportunities to students with limited access to such resources, bridging the educational gaps and preparing young people for an AI-powered future.”
FLVS teachers will also complete 40 hours of online professional development as part of the program. The training will include learning about specialized learning technologies designed to help visualize abstract math concepts and create interactive AI model explorations to ensure students engage with the AI development process in meaningful and dynamic ways.
FLVS Flex students who are either currently enrolled or are interested in taking Algebra 1 can now sign up for the “AI in Math” certification by filling out this survey. Students who complete the program as part of their FLVS math class will receive enrichment credit and the AI Literacy certificate issued by UF and the Concord Consortium.
About Florida Virtual School (FLVS)
At Florida Virtual School (FLVS), the student is at the center of every decision we make. For 27 years, our certified online teachers have worked one-on-one with students to understand their needs and ensure their success – with FLVS students completing 8.1 million semester courses since the school’s inception. As a fully accredited statewide public school district, Florida students in grades Kindergarten through 12 can enroll tuition-free in full-time and part-time online education options. With more than 200 effective and comprehensive courses, and over 80 fun and exciting clubs, FLVS provides families with a safe, reliable, and flexible education in a supportive environment. As a leading online education provider, FLVS also offers comprehensive digital learning solutions to school districts, from online courses that result in high student performance outcomes, to easy-to-use online platforms, staff training, and support. To learn more, visit our website.
