The high school class of 2026 will soon start applying to colleges – and artificial intelligence may play a role in the process.
To help students and families understand the potential role of AI, the Los Altos Library is hosting a free discussion, “Navigating College Admissions in the A.I. Era,” 7-8:30 p.m. Thursday.
The event will include AI’s current role in college admissions, the future of college admissions, ethical considerations in AI admissions, preparing for the AI era, and the broader impact of AI on higher education, according to the Santa Clara County Library events website.
Students who use the online Common App to apply to a college are required to check a box acknowledging that they did not use AI on their application. When an application reaches the admissions office, an officer may run it through an AI detector, according to Ivy Scholars, a college counseling website.
The presenters of Thursday’s discussion plan to analyze how AI algorithms are being used to analyze applications, according to the library district. Additionally, attendees will learn how AI can predict academic performance, analyze extracurricular activities and identify any potential concerns for applicants.
Changes to standardized testing such as the PSAT, SAT and ACT will also be discussed.
The discussion will address ethical considerations, focusing on the importance of fairness, equity and transparency when AI is used inside the admissions office.
This event is a part of the Silicon Valley Reads 2025 program, a countywide engagement program that this year is focused on the theme of “Empowering Humanity: Technology for a Better World.”
The discussion will be held in the Orchard Room at the Los Altos Library, 13 S. San Antonio Road.
For more information, visit tinyurl.com/College-Admissions-A.
