Author: Jake Weld, Vice-Chair, AICEP

This is going to get a little meta - so please bear with me.

Technology and Education are inexorably intertwined, and each leap forward often results in not only excitement but also a moment of fear of the unknown and an anxiety that the next forward step is, in fact, propelling us backwards into another cataclysmic catastrophe.  And while we can certainly debate the voracity of such statements, the reality is that The Future Happened Yesterday.

If you have not been tracking the ChatGPT (Artificial Intelligence, text generator, and oh-so-much-more) explosion in the past couple of days then I encourage you to start asking your students for a tutorial.  And I warn you - be prepared to feel like you just might be peering out from the buggy whip factory as you watch the first automobile roll down the street.

As a primer, I knew I wanted to get a blog post out about this topic - and so I asked the topic (ChatGPT) to write a blog post about itself.  Here is what it gave me, in .027 seconds, unedited and in its entirety (original prompt included):

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Write me a listicle-style blog post with seven reasons Certified Educational Planners should be aware of ChatGPT and other AI technology's potential impact on higher education, including an intro and an outro.

Certified Educational Planners (CEP) are experts in the field of college planning, and they understand the many complexities associated with helping students decide which college is right for them. As technology advances, CEPs must stay up to date on the implications of artificial intelligence (AI) technologies such as ChatGPT, as they could have a significant impact on higher education. Here are seven reasons why CEPs should be aware of ChatGPT and other AI technologies’ potential impact on higher education.

1. Improved Access to Information: ChatGPT provides students with more access to information and resources than ever before. This technology can provide students with personalized recommendations and advice on college planning, which can be beneficial for those who may not have access to traditional college planning resources.

2. Improved Student Engagement: AI technologies such as ChatGPT can improve student engagement by providing personalized and interactive experiences. This can help students stay engaged in the college planning process and make it easier for them to make the best possible decisions.

3. Improved Admissions Outcomes: AI technologies such as ChatGPT can help students better prepare for college admissions tests and interviews. This can lead to improved admissions outcomes for students, as they will be better equipped to succeed in the admissions process.

4. Improved College Counseling Services: AI technologies such as ChatGPT can provide CEPs with more accurate and up-to-date college counseling services. This can help CEPs provide better services to their students, which in turn can lead to improved college planning outcomes.

5. Improved College Performance: AI technologies such as ChatGPT can help students better manage their workloads and academic schedules. This can lead to improved academic performance, as students will be better equipped to manage their college coursework and succeed in their classes.

6. Improved Student Retention: AI technologies such as ChatGPT can help students better manage their time and resources, which can lead to improved student retention rates. This can help colleges and universities better retain their students and ensure that they are successful in their college careers.

7. Improved College Cost Savings: AI technologies such as ChatGPT can help students better manage their college costs. This can lead to improved college cost savings for students, as they will have a better understanding of the costs associated with their college education and will be better equipped to make cost-effective decisions.

Certified Educational Planners have an important role to play in helping students make the best possible decisions when it comes to college planning, and AI technologies such as ChatGPT can have a significant impact on higher education. By understanding the potential implications of these technologies, CEPs can ensure that their students are equipped with the best possible resources and advice to make their college planning process as successful as possible.

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Pretty good, right!? 

Admittedly, the language is still a little flat, and there is certainly a cadence to the AI's writing which lacks the beat and pulse of more sophisticated prose - but if the goal is to get from Point A to Point B cheaply and reliably, then buckle up. 

The impact this technology will have on writing, content generation, college essays and assignments, general executive functioning coaching (the chat feature is exceptionally strong!), and a whole host of other areas is likely going to be profound.  And just like each of the technological advances we've seen rock our world (from putting stylus to papyrus all the way to googling), this new addition will undoubtably result in some skills becoming obsolete or archaic, while others become ever-more critical.  Embracing technology, understanding its uses and limitations, and preparing a new generation of young people to live in and lead an ever-changing world will always be a part of Certified Educational Planners role in guiding students and families.

While the AI's use of language may still be a bit devoid of life, so too is the automobile when compared to a horse.

VroomVroom.