In this episode of AI For U, recorded live at HighEdWeb, Lisa Nguyen from UC Davis’ Graduate School of Management shares how AI is revolutionizing her work as a digital marketer. Lisa delves into the innovative ways her team is utilizing tools like ChatGPT to analyze enrollment data, streamline marketing efforts, and improve student engagement. The episode also touches on the importance of privacy and ethics when using AI, highlighting best practices for implementing AI in higher education.

Key Takeaways

• AI can significantly streamline data analysis, offering actionable insights without the need for additional staff or consultants.
• ChatGPT and other AI tools allow for more data-driven marketing decisions by identifying optimal times to promote programs based on historical data.
• When integrating AI into marketing strategies, it's essential to work closely with legal teams to ensure privacy, ethics, and security compliance.
• UC Davis is piloting AI-driven marketing efforts with their part-time MBA programs, with plans to expand to other degree programs in the future.

How is UC Davis using AI in its marketing strategies?
Lisa Nguyen, a digital marketer at UC Davis, reveals how AI, specifically ChatGPT, is helping her team analyze application data to improve marketing efforts for part-time MBA programs. With enrollments declining, Nguyen’s team was tasked with finding the optimal times to market their programs. Using data from their CRM, such as application deadlines and submission times, Nguyen employed ChatGPT to analyze trends and suggest the best months for marketing. Historically, the team relied on anecdotal insights from program directors, but AI has enabled more data-driven decisions, which they are now incorporating into their strategies.

What data points were analyzed using ChatGPT?
Nguyen's team fed ChatGPT application data without including personal identifiers. The data encompassed several key stages: when a record was created, when the application process began, when it was submitted, and when decisions were made. By combining this information with application deadlines, ChatGPT provided insights into the optimal months to target potential applicants. This shift from anecdotal to data-backed insights marks a significant improvement in how the UC Davis marketing team plans its campaigns.

‍How does UC Davis ensure ethical AI usage?
As Lisa Nguyen emphasizes, it’s crucial to consult legal teams before diving into AI usage, ensuring privacy and security standards are met. For example, Nguyen ensured that no personal identifying information (PII) was included in the data she uploaded to ChatGPT. Moreover, she advised others to stay ahead of evolving policies regarding AI usage in higher education and ensure compliance with institutional guidelines. This careful approach has allowed UC Davis to innovate responsibly in their AI-driven marketing.

‍What are the next steps for AI integration in UC Davis' marketing?
Currently, UC Davis is piloting AI usage with two part-time MBA programs, but the plans don’t stop there. Nguyen hopes to extend AI capabilities to evaluate content performance across their marketing channels, particularly in email campaigns. By analyzing which topics prospective students engage with and at what times, her team can better tailor the customer journey. This expansion of AI into content evaluation promises even more personalized and efficient student engagement strategies in the future.

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