FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
NOVEMBER 12, 2026
MEDIA CONTACT
SHAPE AI Initiative Releases Guidance on AI Use in Basic Needs Services for Students
Washington, D.C. — Student Defense today released new guidance on the “Dos and Don’ts of AI in Basic Needs Services for Students” as part of its SHAPE AI Initiative. The report offers colleges and universities practical guidance on using AI responsibly in campus basic needs offices, which connect students with essential services including food pantries, emergency housing assistance, and mental health support.
The inability to afford basic necessities poses significant barriers to college persistence and completion. In 2020, an estimated 23% of undergraduate students experienced some level of food insecurity, which is especially disruptive to students’ ability to stay in school. Yet campus basic needs offices, which help students access these essential resources, are often under-resourced.
AI tools have the potential to help these offices serve more students by streamlining administrative tasks like scheduling appointments and creating resource directories, giving staff more time to work directly with students. But the report warns that without adequate safeguards, AI use in these offices, which handle sensitive student data, could “present serious privacy risks” and “perpetuate existing biases surrounding poverty and public benefits.”
The guide establishes seven dos and don’ts for institutions looking to use AI in student basic needs services. Each recommendation includes a hypothetical example that illustrates why proper safeguards are needed to protect students receiving these services. Key suggestions include:
Protect students’ privacy: Set guidelines and restrictions for student data storage by the institution and vendors, and anonymize student data before feeding it into an AI model.
Ensure AI tools provide accurate information: Make sure models have been tested to provide accurate information related to public benefit eligibility and accessibility.
Use AI as a supplement, not a replacement: Evaluate how AI can help solve capacity challenges in your office, while keeping human staff at the center of significant work.
Coordinate with governments: Ensure AI tools are providing accurate information from federal, state and local agencies that administer relevant public benefits programs.
“Students shouldn’t have to choose between meeting their basic needs and earning a college degree. When students are worried about putting food on the table or keeping a roof over their heads, their education inevitably suffers. Basic needs offices provide a critical lifeline, helping students access the resources they need to stay enrolled and succeed,” said Laura Bart, Legal Fellow at Student Defense. “AI has the potential to help colleges connect more students with the resources they need, but without proper safeguards, these tools risk compromising student privacy and reinforcing inequality. This guide provides schools with actionable recommendations to harness AI responsibly, protect students, and ensure the technology removes barriers to success rather than creating new ones.”
Student Defense released companion guidance called the “Dos and Don’ts of AI in College Application Evaluation” in May, and the “Dos and Don’ts of AI in College Recruitment and Enrollment” in July. The reports are part of the SHAPE AI Initiative, which develops guidance to advance responsible, student-centered AI practices in higher education.
Read the “Dos and Don’ts of AI in Basic Needs Services for Students” here.
