The conversation around artificial intelligence in higher education has evolved significantly since ChatGPT first captured headlines in 2022. While early discussions centered on concerns about academic integrity, institutions are now exploring how AI can transform student support—not by replacing human expertise, but by amplifying it.
As Graham Anthony, Assistant Vice President for Educational Technologies and Innovation at Golisano Institute for Business & Entrepreneurship, writes, "The most powerful applications of AI in education aren't those that remove the educator, but those that enhance their capacity to inspire, support, and challenge students."
This shift matters deeply for career services professionals facing mounting pressure to serve more students with limited resources while preparing them for an AI-integrated workforce.
Career advisors spend significant time on essential but time-intensive tasks. A typical resume review or mock interview takes 30 minutes. For an advisor handling 20 sessions weekly, that's 12 hours monthly. For institutions manually reviewing 1,000 resumes annually, that's 500 hours yearly—time that could support strategic career coaching, employer relationships, or new programming.
The question isn't whether career services professionals should use AI, but how they can leverage it responsibly to spend less time on repetitive tasks and more time connecting with students.
Symplicity's approach centers on a foundational principle: responsible AI for universities first. Technology should enhance human expertise while protecting student privacy and institutional control. The AI Resume Review and AI Mock Interview Feedback features in Symplicity CSM (Career Services Manager), now available in the United States and Australia, are built on this commitment to responsible AI.
Unlike solutions relying on third-party APIs or global data pools, Symplicity built its own private AI infrastructure designed specifically for higher education. This means institutions maintain complete data sovereignty—student information stays protected within your secure environment, never shared externally or used to train models benefiting other organizations.
The AI Resume Review provides instant feedback while keeping human advisors at the center. Beta schools report savings of 2-3 emails or 1-2 meetings per student—approximately 3 hours weekly or 12 hours monthly. This creates space for conversations about career strategy requiring human insight and empathy.
The AI Mock Interview Feedback feature allows practice at student convenience. Advisors save an estimated 15-20 hours monthly. For institutions manually reviewing 500 mock interviews annually, this represents 500 hours yearly to invest in helping students process feedback and build genuine confidence.
Crucially, both features give institutions and students complete control. Administrators can enable or disable AI functionality anytime, and students can fully opt out if they prefer.
One compelling argument for using AI in career services is preparing students for workplaces already using these technologies. The California State University system's partnership with Microsoft, OpenAI, and Google reflects broader recognition that universities must help students develop AI fluency alongside traditional career skills.
By incorporating AI features into resume reviews and interview preparation, advisors model how students can leverage technology effectively and ethically. This experiential learning provides more valuable preparation than abstract discussions about AI's impact.
Symplicity's AI is rigorously tested for accuracy and equity, with purpose-built models designed to promote inclusion and expand opportunities for every student. As Matthew Small, Symplicity's CEO & President, explains:
"Our commitment to responsible AI is a partnership with career services administrators who serve students every day. Together, we're ensuring that AI enhances the student experience—matching students to relevant opportunities based on interests and skills, protecting their data preferences and privacy concerns, and most importantly, keeping human oversight at the center of all important decisions."
Higher education scholar Bryan Alexander notes that AI's value depends on demonstrating responsible, effective use that directly benefits students. Rebecca Quintana from the University of Michigan observes growing resistance to AI when students sense it doesn't align with their learning goals. This underscores why AI tools must be thoughtfully implemented as supplements to—not replacements for—human advisors, with transparency and genuine opt-out options.
Career advisors who embrace AI won't be replaced by it—they'll be empowered by it. With AI handling time-intensive initial assessments through secure, purpose-built infrastructure, advisors can focus on what they do best: listening to students' concerns, understanding their aspirations, and supporting them through the job search process.
That's not a future where AI replaces human expertise. It's a future where responsible technology gives career services professionals the time and bandwidth to put their expertise to its highest use—while maintaining complete institutional control and protecting student privacy every step of the way. See how Symplicity does it.
Resources:
Anthony, Graham. "AI in higher education should enhance educators, not replace them." Rochester Business Journal, January 27, 2026. https://rbj.net/2026/01/27/ai-higher-education-enhancing-educators-learning/
Palmer, Kathryn. "5 Predictions on How AI Will Shape Higher Ed in 2026." Inside Higher Ed, January 5, 2026. https://www.insidehighered.com/news/tech-innovation/artificial-intelligence/2026/01/05/5-predictions-how-ai-will-shape-higher-ed