In this episode of AI For U, live from HighEdWeb, Sarah Gilbert from GradLabs joins the show to discuss the impact of AI on higher education marketing. With her 18 years of experience in enrollment and marketing, Sarah dives deep into how AI is being used—and misused—in SEO and content generation. She also highlights the challenges institutions face when navigating AI-generated content and the ethical responsibilities universities hold in delivering accurate, trustworthy information.

Key Takeaways

• AI’s Role in SEO and Marketing: AI is being used to generate massive amounts of content in seconds, which can overwhelm search engines and lead to misinformation.
• Ethical Concerns with AI: Institutions face a responsibility to ensure that the content they publish remains fact-based and accurate, which is particularly challenging when competing with AI-generated material.
• Digital Literacy is Crucial: As AI-generated deep fakes and misinformation become more prevalent, universities must play a larger role in promoting digital literacy, both within their communities and beyond.

How is AI affecting SEO and marketing in higher education?
Sarah explains that AI is dramatically changing the landscape of search marketing, particularly in SEO. Some organizations are using AI to create thousands of pages of content in minutes, which can flood the internet with poorly written or inaccurate information. This creates challenges for colleges and universities, whose carefully crafted content must now compete with AI-generated material. These challenges are exacerbated by the sheer volume of content that Google indexes, making it harder for quality content to rise to the top.

What ethical concerns arise from the use of AI in content generation?
One of the most pressing concerns discussed in the episode is the ethical use of AI-generated content. While AI tools like ChatGPT can produce content quickly, they often present false information with confidence, leading to potential issues for institutions that rely on fact-based, educational content. Sarah emphasizes the responsibility universities have in maintaining the integrity of their information, especially given their .edu domain, which is trusted by search engines and users alike. Universities need to ensure their content is not just optimized for SEO but is also trustworthy and accurate.

How can universities stay ahead of the AI wave in marketing?
Sarah suggests that one way universities can rise above the sea of AI-generated content is through strong digital PR and promotion. By obtaining quality backlinks from reputable sources, institutions can help elevate their content in search rankings. This practice not only promotes accurate information but also helps universities stand out in an increasingly crowded digital landscape. Additionally, Sarah notes the importance of teaching digital literacy, particularly around AI and deep fakes, as institutions have a responsibility to educate their communities about the risks of misinformation.

What role should universities play in promoting digital literacy?
Sarah believes that universities have a critical role to play in promoting media and digital literacy, especially as AI-generated misinformation becomes more common. Institutions should think beyond their student bodies and consider educating the broader public on the ethical use of AI, how to detect misinformation, and how to navigate a digital landscape full of AI-generated content. This kind of education will be essential for combating the spread of misinformation, whether it's in SEO, deep fakes, or other AI-driven content.

- - - -

Connect With Our Host:
Brian Piper
https://www.linkedin.com/in/brianwpiper/

About The Enrollify Podcast Network:
AI for U is a part of the Enrollify Podcast Network. If you like this podcast, chances are you’ll like other Enrollify shows too! 

Enrollify is made possible by Element451 —  The AI Workforce Platform for Higher Ed. Learn more at element451.com.