We wanted to know - How will students access support and information in the age of AI?

Oct 15, 2026

Uploaded by James

The document examines how students access guidance and support in an AI age, focusing on whether AI will expand or reduce human connection and the social capital that enables resources, advice, and job referrals. It summarizes existing chatbot research, including outcomes from Georgia State University, and notes limits in evidence on bot-driven advising’s short- and long-term social impact. It then analyzes market directions using Disruptive Innovation Theory and the conditions where navigation and guidance are most disruptable.

LanguageEnglish

CategoryResearch & Report

FormatPDF

Pages134

Reading Time5 h 38 min

AccessFree to download

Key Questions

Student access and human connection

Existing Evidence and Outcomes

Chatbot examples and measured impacts

Research gap on social capital

Research Approach

Disruptive Innovation Theory framework

Market Analysis

Why navigation and guidance are disruptable

We wanted to know: How will students access support and information in the age ofAI? Will human connection grow or shrink? 2 Navigation & guidance has long been an arena where ratios do not reflect the need. 385:1 average high school student-to-counselor ratio* 6% of high school counselors’ time spent career advising** v,3olleg:e1 student-to-career services staff ratio*** * “Student-to-School-Counselor Ratio 2022–2023,” American School Counselor Association, [https://www.schoolcounselor.org/getmedia/a988972b-1faa-4b5f-8b9e-a73b5ac44476/ratios-22-23-alpha.pdf](https://www.schoolcounselor.org/getmedia/a988972b-1faa-4b5f-8b9e-a73b5ac44476/ratios-22-23-alpha.pdf). ** Specific to public high school counselors.“School Counseling: Caseloads and Responsibilities,” National Association for College Admission Counseling, [https://www.nacacnet.org/school-counseling/](https://www.nacacnet.org/school-counseling/) . *** “2021–22 NACE Career Services Benchmark Survey,” National Association of Colleges and Employers, [https://www.naceweb.org/uploadedFiles/files/2022/publication/executive-summary/2022-nace-career-services-benchmark-executive-summary.pdf](https://www.naceweb.org/uploadedFiles/files/2022/publication/executive-summary/2022-nace-career-services-benchmark-executive-summary.pdf.)[.](https://www.naceweb.org/uploadedFiles/files/2022/publication/executive-summary/2022-nace-career-services-benchmark-executive-summary.pdf.) 3 Many hope AI can help scale more efficient and personalized approaches to guide students’ college and career journeys. 4 Prior research on chatbots has shown promise. For example, chatbots at Georgia State University produced: * “How Georgia State University Uses Behavioral Intelligence to Improve Student Retention and Persistence,” Mainstay, [https://mainstay.com/case-study/how-georgia-state-university-uses-behavioral-intelligence-to-improve-student-retention-and-persistence/](https://mainstay.com/case-study/how-georgia-state-university-uses-behavioral-intelligence-to-improve-student-retention-and-persistence/) . ** “Georgia State University Supports Every Student with Personalized Text Messaging,” Mainstay, [https://mainstay.com/case-study/how-georgia-state-university-supports-every-student-with-personalized-text-messaging/](https://mainstay.com/case-study/how-georgia-state-university-supports-every-student-with-personalized-text-messaging/) . 5 3% increase in re-enrollment rate* 50% decrease in withdrawals due to outstanding balance* 21% reduction in summer melt** But there is limited research on the short-and long-term impact that bot-driven advising has on students’ social capital , or connections that can provide students with valuable resources like support, advice, and ultimately, job referrals. 6 We set out to understand where this market is headed, and in particular, whether AI will be built to help or hinder students’ access to experiences and relationships that lead to jobs. 7 Our methodology We analyzed the market of tools and providers through the lens of Disruptive Innovation Theory. Disruptive Innovations are NOT breakthrough technologies that make good products better; instead, they make products and services more accessible and affordable. They tend to get their start where lots of customers are shut out of the market. 8 Navigation and guidance—where access to high quality information and support are limited—is primed for disruption. 9 Disruptions start at the lowest tiers of the market, offering a simpler product or service at a lower cost, but over time they get better and better. Quality Disruptive Innovation Time Luxury product/service High-end product/service Better product/service Basic product/service 10

FAQs

What primary question does the document address about AI in education?

It asks how students will access support and information in the age of AI, and whether human connection will grow or shrink.

What does the document say about prior research on chatbots?

It states that prior research on chatbots has shown promise, including example results from Georgia State University.

How does the document analyze the future of AI-based advising?

It analyzes tools and providers using Disruptive Innovation Theory, describing disruptions that start at lower market tiers and improve over time.

Oct 15, 2026

Uploaded by James