AI’s everywhere these days, so we asked ChatGPT-3, a popular online generative AI text tool, to write a short article about the rise of AI in student recruitment. We’ve included the article here, along with some comments from our content team on what the AI does well, and what could use some improvements.
Short version: AI generated text can be useful, but it often lacks personality. It can be painfully repetitive, and occasionally cite bad information. While these limitations will change as the software’s refined, you’ll want a good editor at the helm before publishing AI generated content for your audience!
Here’s the article, as written by ChatGPT:
How Artificial Intelligence (AI) is Influencing Student Recruitment Strategies
The use of Artificial Intelligence (AI) in various industries has been on the rise in recent years, and the education sector is no exception. One area where AI is expected to make a significant impact is student recruitment strategies. Universities and colleges are likely to incorporate AI into their student recruitment strategies to improve efficiency, reduce costs, and increase the quality of the applicant pool. In this blog post, we will explore the ways in which AI is likely to influence student recruitment strategies.
Personalization of the recruitment process
AI technology can be used to personalize the recruitment process for individual students. AI-powered chatbots and virtual assistants can answer queries and provide personalized advice to prospective students. AI algorithms can analyze a student’s application and recommend relevant courses based on their academic record and interests. This level of personalization can help universities and colleges attract the right students for their programs.
Identifying and targeting the right candidates
AI algorithms can help universities and colleges identify the right candidates for their programs. The algorithms can analyze data from previous applicant pools to identify patterns that are likely to be successful. They can also analyze data from social media and other sources to identify potential candidates who are likely to be interested in a particular program. By targeting the right candidates, universities and colleges can reduce the cost of recruitment and increase the quality of the applicant pool.
Elimination of bias
The use of AI can eliminate bias in the recruitment process. AI algorithms can remove identifying information such as name, gender, and ethnicity from the application process to prevent unconscious bias from creeping in. This can ensure that all applicants are evaluated solely on their merit. AI algorithms can also be trained to identify language that could be considered biased, ensuring that the recruitment process is fair and transparent.
Improved efficiency
The use of AI in student recruitment can significantly improve efficiency. AI-powered chatbots and virtual assistants can handle routine tasks such as answering queries and scheduling appointments, freeing up recruitment staff to focus on more complex tasks. AI algorithms can also analyze large datasets quickly, making it easier for universities and colleges to identify the right candidates and make data-driven decisions.
Enhancing the student experience
AI can enhance the student experience by providing personalized advice and support throughout the application process. AI-powered chatbots can answer questions about the application process and provide feedback on applications, helping students feel more informed and supported. AI algorithms can also analyze data on student behavior and preferences to provide personalized recommendations for extracurricular activities and other opportunities.
In conclusion, the use of AI in student recruitment strategies is likely to become more widespread in the coming years. AI technology can provide universities and colleges with personalized recruitment processes, help identify and target the right candidates, eliminate bias, improve efficiency, and enhance the student experience. The incorporation of AI in student recruitment can also reduce costs and increase the quality of the applicant pool. While there are concerns about the impact of AI on employment in the education sector, it is clear that AI technology can play a valuable role in improving student recruitment strategies.
The Verdict
There we have it; about 500 words on AI in student recruitment. Did you enjoy the piece? Why or why not?
First off, we notice the AI text is long-winded, frequently repeating key phrases, like “student recruitment strategies” — three times in the first paragraph alone. This kind of repetition’s not engaging for readers, and may tip them off that an AI is at work.
Watch for repetition not only in style but content! Twice, the piece mentions “AI-powered chatbots and virtual assistants” that can “answer queries.” There’s no indication this topic’s already been raised in the piece; each element is siloed away from other constituents of the article, as though each sentence were generated independently of the whole. This can leave the copy feeling like a patchwork of loosely connected ideas.
Next, there are plenty of blunt sentences, without much variation in sentence structure. In the second paragraph, for example, we’ve got four simple sentences in a row, with the only variety coming from a conjunction in the second sentence. Again: repetitive! Good writing should include an array of sentence structures to keep the reader interested.
Another factor that keeps a reader interested is personality — which this piece lacks. Even if you didn’t know it was written by an AI, you might still wonder why the author shows no emotion. Be honest — you got a little bored reading the article, right? Adding some colour and character to your articles will help ensure your audience reads the full post and sees themselves reflected in the material.
Moving on: the ideas discussed in the article aren’t handled in any depth. Topics are raised in a sentence and discarded in the next. Of course, this is a short piece, so brevity’s to be expected. Still, keep an eye out for ideas that are casually mentioned but lack elaboration.
Finally, watch for local variants in spelling and grammar. ChatGPT favours American spellings, so be careful if you’re writing for a Canadian or European audience.
(Bonus: Never begin your conclusion with “In conclusion…”! Dead giveaway that the piece was written either by an AI or a high school student.)
So, what does the AI text do well? Pretty much everything else! While this article’s not excellent writing, it’s competent enough to convey its ideas. The piece pulls together a few different elements, and while there’s repetition, several related topics are handled together, and the intro and conclusion both restate the main ideas effectively enough. The writing is serviceable — but it won’t compel sophisticated readers.
Based on this short analysis, we recommend a skilled editor review and revise any piece of AI generated text before it hits the public — unless the whole idea is to evaluate it. For everyday communications with students and parents, consider letting an editor take a pass over your copy before hitting “post.”
Do these comments align with your own experiences of AI text? What have you seen tools like ChatGPT do well? Where do they struggle? Will these issues be invisible in a year as the tech improves? What would you like to see in the “next generation” of AI writing tools?
To learn more about The SchoolFinder Group, please email us at info@schoolfindergroup.com.
