Educational, Guidance, and Career Counselors and Advisors

Right now, most counselor work with technology is about paperwork and data, not AI doing the talking. Schools use computer systems to keep records and run reports, but these are usually set up by humans. Experts note that AI could handle routine clerical tasks so counselors have more time with students ^[1].

For example, many teachers already use AI chat tools (like ChatGPT) to draft emails, lesson plans or letters ^[2] – counselors could use similar tools to help write reports. There is also experimental AI that analyzes student grades or test answers to suggest classes or college choices. One academic system tried using machine learning to predict which colleges a student might get into and recommend alternatives ^[3].

But important parts of the job – listening to a student’s feelings, talking with parents, or explaining school rules – really still need a person. In short, current AI tools help with some desk work and suggestions, but the face-to-face, caring parts of counseling stay human.

AI tools might be adopted in counseling slowly. On one hand, schools are under pressure: there often aren’t enough counselors, so any help is welcome. Some universities even use AI to flag students at risk of failing or dropping out, sending alerts so advisers can step in early ^[4].

That shows promise: in one pilot, an AI system that watched students’ online activity and sent encouraging messages helped reduce dropouts ^[4].