No, AI won’t replace education agents
BONARD surveyed 90 agencies from the top 14 source countries for the Canadian K–12 sector, based on data from CAPS-I. These are some of the findings.
No, AI won’t replace education agents
But it could make their job easier and more efficient while giving students and their families the extra support they need.
AI anxiety is real. According to a survey by the American Psychological Association, 38% of workers worry that AI may make their jobs obsolete.
How AI will revolutionise the education sector has been pondered in many recent articles, but what effect will it have on education agencies, specifically? While it’s reasonable to expect some changes in the future, it’s also safe to say that the role of education agents as counsellors and guides will remain the same, especially in the K–12 sector.
Lenka Kubasova, BONARD’s Recruitment Solutions Director, explains:
That said, there are several areas where AI is already being used and others where its potential is still untapped.
BONARD surveyed 90 agencies from the top 14 source countries for the Canadian K–12 sector, based on data from CAPS-I. These are some of the findings.
What agencies think
Generally, agencies perceive AI as a potentially beneficial tool for streamlining tasks and information processing, but concerns remain.
Even though AI usage is still limited to specific tasks, it is growing, simplifying tasks that were more time-consuming in the past. Marketing is the area where AI is used the most, helping to create engaging materials and craft texts.
Varying levels of interest
The survey captured an interesting picture: while awareness of AI and its implications is evenly spread, interest is not.
Out of all the countries surveyed, respondents in Italy, France and Colombia were the least interested in using AI tools and exploring their potential.
“In these countries, agencies tend to use AI solely for writing texts,” Kolibar explains.
In other countries, such as Mexico, Taiwan, Thailand, Spain, Germany and Vietnam, the survey revealed that agencies are using a wider variety of AI tools for a more diverse range of tasks, such as developing marketing materials and supporting customer service.
Finally, in agencies in China, Hong Kong, Japan and South Korea, AI tools are already being used in a variety of settings, for example, to enhance school screening, support recommendation systems for course and destination selection, and optimise business strategies.
Untapped potential
Students and families look for trustworthy advice when working with education agencies. While AI won’t be able to replace human interaction in this regard, it could still provide an extra level of support to students, especially in the very first stages of their international education journey.
Interested in learning more?
Check BONARD’s presentation on this topic at the CAPS-I Conference 2024 or book a meeting with a BONARD specialist at education@bonard.com.
Coverage
CONTACT FORM
Presentation - Request form
Get the BONARD’s latest data-driven analysis of the K-12 sector in Canada and explore the transformative role of AI in engaging with prospective students and their families.
To further explore particular international education data and opportunities pertinent to your institution, please request to speak with one of our experts at education@bonard.com.