4 Ways AI Can Help Students Succeed in College

Across college and university campuses, both generative and non-generative artificial intelligence (AI) tools are changing the way students study, ask questions, and get support. Preliminary research indicates that AI-powered tools can help students stay on track, complete their classes, and graduate with confidence.^Footnote1 As AI becomes increasingly embedded in daily life, institutions that want to boost student success—especially among students who face additional barriers in a higher education context—can't afford to ignore it. However, using these tools requires thoughtful technical planning. Here are four ways institutions are leveraging AI to help students stay on track and succeed—and the technologies leaders should consider.

1. Nudging Students with Proactive, Personalized Messaging

A team of researchers tested non-generative AI chatbots at Georgia State University to support students in large, introductory-level courses. Students who received proactive, course-specific chatbot messages were more likely to "receive a course grade of B or higher by five or six percentage points." The recipients also showed higher rates of homework completion and participation in supplemental instruction opportunities.^Footnote2

Implementation Tips

• Assign a human moderator, such as a teaching assistant or advisor, to review chatbot logs and respond to flagged or complex queries.
• Establish escalation protocols for sensitive issues like financial holds, with clear handoffs to human staff.
• Monitor chatbot interactions for accuracy and response timeliness—especially early in the term.
• Allocate consistent time for oversight. After the initial setup, plan for around one or two hours per week of staff monitoring.
• Build a searchable FAQ knowledge base for the chatbot and update it regularly in collaboration with course staff.
• Log all interactions securely and review patterns to improve both AI and human support responses.

2. Making Learning More Accessible and Flexible

Generative AI tools offer personalized, 24/7 academic support, which can be especially valuable for students balancing jobs, caregiving, or nontraditional schedules. This kind of support reduces stress, encourages independent learning, and ensures that all students—regardless of background or availability—can access reliable academic assistance without overloading campus resources. For example, distance learning students at the International University (IU) of Applied Sciences who used the Syntea AI assistant completed courses nearly 30 percent faster than the average IU distance learner.^Footnote3 These tools help students engage with material at their own pace and receive feedback when needed.

Implementation Tips

• Prioritize AI tutoring in courses with high enrollment and high DFW (drop, fail, or withdrawal) rates, or in fully online programs where instructor feedback is limited.
• Ensure the AI tutor connects seamlessly with LMS platforms to personalize content based on students' progress and assignments.
• Equip instructors with analytics to monitor student engagement with the AI and identify who may need human follow-up.
• Ensure platforms are cloud-based with elastic scaling to meet peak learning periods, such as finals week.
• Design with mobile-first principles and ensure compliance with accessibility standards (e.g., WCAG).
• Monitor usage data to optimize the learning experience and address potential equity gaps.

3. Supporting Faculty

When used correctly, AI tools can amplify faculty impact. According to a Purdue University study on the impact of AI in teaching and learning, integrating AI into the classroom is a worthwhile endeavor. Over 80 percent of faculty reported that generative AI streamlined curriculum development, and more than 70 percent said it made creating effective teaching materials significantly easier.^Footnote4

Implementation Tips

• Offer training programs for faculty to integrate AI tools into their teaching practices effectively.
• Create centralized knowledge bases and content libraries that faculty can draw from.
• Leverage AI to generate effective and personalized teaching materials that cater to diverse learning styles.
• Employ AI analytics to gain insights into student performance, enabling data-driven course adjustments and personalized support.

4. Enhancing Academic Integrity Through Better Design

While instructors' concern about academic integrity remains high—and for good reason—the efficacy of AI-detection tools or outright bans remains low.^Footnote5 Instead of trying to stop students from using AI, some faculty are rethinking how assignments and assessments are designed to account for its use. Instructors are also including syllabus statements that clarify the appropriate use of AI.

Implementation Tips

• Design assignments that require students to submit drafts, outlines, or annotated bibliographies, highlighting their progression and thought processes.
• Include reflective components such as journals or guided questions that prompt students to evaluate their learning experiences and strategies.
• Assign group projects that necessitate collective problem-solving and discussions.
• Create tasks that require students to apply knowledge to practical, context-specific scenarios, such as community-based projects or case studies.
• Integrate AI literacy into curricula, educating students on the ethical and effective use of AI tools.

Getting Started

AI is not a silver bullet—but it's also not a fad. Used intentionally, it can offer just-in-time support, personalized feedback, and streamlined communication that helps students succeed. So, how do colleges and universities begin integrating AI to support student success?

Start with policy. Institutions need AI policies that are flexible, actionable, and aligned with their educational values. These policies should address when and how students and faculty can use AI tools, as well as how data privacy, bias, and accessibility will be managed.

Next, invest in infrastructure. AI requires robust data systems, scalable cloud storage, and thoughtful integration with existing platforms such as LMSs and advising tools.

Finally, invest in people. Faculty and staff training, as well as ongoing support, are critical to making AI implementations sustainable. Promoting cross-departmental sharing of successes and missteps—whether in implementing a chatbot, revising a syllabus, or reimagining an assignment—fosters trust, encourages experimentation, and helps shape future teaching strategies.

Here's what else institutions can do right now:

• Audit courses for pain points: Where do students most often get stuck? Where do they disengage?
• Pilot small-scale AI tools: Start with a chatbot or personalized feedback tool in one large online course.
• Focus on outcomes: Don't ask, "Are students using AI?" Ask, "Is AI helping students stay enrolled, learn, and graduate?"

The goal is not to adopt AI for its own sake. As Chegg CEO Nathan Schultz put it, "AI alone cannot provide the deep, personalized support students need to truly learn and excel."^Footnote6 The goal, instead, is to create more equitable, responsive, and effective pathways through college. When thoughtfully integrated into higher education, AI can become a powerful part of the learning journey.

Notes

1. Katharine Meyer, et al., "Let's Chat: Leveraging Chatbot Outreach for Improved Course Performance," EdWorkingPaper No. 22-564, Annenberg Institute at Brown University, November 2024. Jump back to footnote 1 in the text.↩
2. Ibid. To learn more about the study, see "How an AI Chatbot Improve Course Performance at GSU," Higher Education Blog, Chegg, April 30, 2025. Jump back to footnote 2 in the text.↩
3. Moritz Möller, et al., "Revolutionising Distance Learning: A Comparative Study of Learning Progress with AI-Driven Tutoring," preprint, arXiv, February 21, 2024. Jump back to footnote 3 in the text.↩
4. Jean Kotsiovos, Sean Doyle, and Rhonda Chicone, "Optimizing Student Success: The Impact of Artificial Intelligence in Teaching and Learning," International Journal for Educational Media and Technology 18, no. 2 (2024): 5–15. Jump back to footnote 4 in the text.↩
5. Wiley, "AI Has Hurt Academic Integrity in College Courses but Can Also Enhance Learning, Say Instructors, Students," news release, July 29, 2024. Jump back to footnote 5 in the text.↩
6. Chegg, "Chegg Global Student Survey 2025: 80% of Undergraduates Worldwide Have Used GenAI to Support Their Studies, but Accuracy a Top Concern," press release, July 10, 2025. Jump back to footnote 6 in the text.↩