New Student Defense Report Warns Rapid AI Adoption in Higher Education is Outpacing Student Protections
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
September 17, 2026
MEDIA CONTACT
New Student Defense Report Warns Rapid AI Adoption in Higher Education is Outpacing Student Protections
Washington, D.C. — Colleges and universities across the United States are adopting AI faster than they are establishing the safeguards needed to protect students, according to a new report from Student Defense’s SHAPE (Safeguarding Higher-Ed Through AI Practices & Ethics) AI Initiative.
The comprehensive report, “Students at Stake: Risks of AI Deployment in Higher Education,” explores how AI is getting embedded across higher education functions, including: recruiting and admissions, financial aid, grading, tutoring, counseling, and the delivery of education itself.
Student Defense will be joined today by Sen. Andy Kim (D-NJ) and Rep. Suzanne Bonamici (D-OR) to formally release this landmark report. More information on the event can be found here.
The report argues that the rapid deployment of AI tools, combined with the pace of technological development,underscores an urgent need for strong guardrails that protect students. In addition to highlighting the many risks associated with AI deployment, the publication seeks to promote institutional governance and “help institutions navigate a changing environment with a clearer view of how legal, ethical, and practical risks may arise for students.” The report is divided into three main areas of current AI uses on college campuses with potentially significant, adverse consequences for students, while also highlighting cross-cutting concerns:
Chapter 1: Admissions, Recruitment and Financial Aid: From marketing to admissions decisions to financial aid, colleges are increasingly using AI to support their enrollment goals. This section focuses on those uses, with a particular emphasis on ensuring consumer protections in the enrollment and aid process.
Chapter 2: Student Success and Supports: Institutions are adopting a host of tools to facilitate student success, including counseling and advisory services and supporting the delivery of basic needs benefits. With these services come clear benefits, but the risks of biases and incorrect information are severe in these high stakes settings.
Chapter 3: Education Delivery: AI tools have also become embedded in the learning ecosystem, from Learning Management Systems to course development, tutoring, and student assessments. Although AI can serve as a helpful supplement to student learning, the report highlights concerns that AI tools can exacerbate existing disparities.
“Higher education leaders cannot afford to adopt AI first and ask questions later,” said Dan Zibel, Co-Founder and Chief Counsel of Student Defense. “The pursuit of higher education involves some of the most consequential decisions a student can make. Although certain uses of AI have tremendous potential, colleges and universities must understand the risks, establish clear guardrails, and ensure strong student protections keep pace with the technology. At a time when many Americans are questioning the value of a college degree, strong institutional governance is necessary to ensure that colleges are using AI only to add value, rather than cheapening the educational experience.”
"The use of AI in higher education must be grounded in ethics, transparency, and fairness, and it must not be used as a substitute for critical thinking skills,” said Rep. Suzanne Bonamici. “As colleges and universities expand their use of AI, students and educators need clear guardrails and resources so this technology can expand opportunities, not widen gaps. I’m grateful for this work to help schools establish the AI protections students need and deserve."
“Students at Stake” builds on the SHAPE AI Initiative’s other reports and guides, including the Student AI Bill of Rights, the Dos and Don’ts of College Application Evaluation, and the Dos and Don’ts of AI in College Recruitment & Enrollment.
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