The Potential ROI of AI Chatbot in Higher Education
- Artificial Intelligence, Chatbots, Education
- Posted: 6 months ago
Disclaimer: This blog post is based on hypothetical scenarios and assumptions that are intended to explore potential outcomes of AI chatbots in university settings. The figures and projections herein are for illustrative purposes only and should not be considered as guarantees or exact forecasts.
The world of higher education is abuzz with chatter about AI. More and more people are expressing excitement about this technology and looking for ways their institution can use it. A survey of College and University Presidents conducted by Inside Higher Ed found that 50% of respondents were somewhat or very optimistic about AI’s growing impact on higher education.
While a general attitude of positivity is key to adopting new technology, what matters most to university decision-makers is the return they can expect to see from implementing it. Understandably, data is at the root of all big decisions. Institutions want to know just how much bang for their buck they will be getting on their investments. So, what is the potential Return on Investment (ROI) of an AI chatbot for a university? In this blog post, we are breaking down the potential ROI of AI chatbots in universities.
The Value of AI Chatbots in Universities
One of the greatest challenges students face at universities is access to information. Higher education is a brand-new experience. It’s unsurprising that students have questions about their new environment and the things that are expected of them. Often, students have these questions outside of standard helpdesk hours, making it difficult to access this information when they need it most. This is where AI chatbots can be helpful.
These virtual helpers are available 24/7. Provided they are trained on the right data, AI chatbots can answer virtually any question about the university. What’s better is that they can do it in a fraction of the time it would take their human counterparts. But just how much money could this save universities?
For illustrative purposes, we are going to look at how much money a student-facing chatbot can save universities. However, it is worth mentioning that universities can use chatbots to help staff, lecturers and even parents. Using them for reasons beyond helping students could yield an even higher ROI for universities. So, let’s break down the numbers.
Overview of Assumptions
Note: The assumptions below are hypothetical and are meant to stimulate discussion on the potential financial impact of AI chatbots in higher education. They are not based on specific research data and should be viewed as a conceptual exploration.
Before we begin, let’s set the scene: Consider the average university. For this scenario, let’s assume a university with a student body of 10,000 students. This is the average number of students at a US college. Further, let’s assume that students who attend this university pay approximately $20,000 a year to do so.
To calculate the ROI, we have made a few assumptions. The assumptions to follow are hypothetical and illustrate potential outcomes. Real-world results can vary based on numerous factors.
The Cost of an AI Chatbot
Firstly, we need to consider the cost of implementing an AI chatbot. In most cases, there will be a fee to implement the chatbot, and then some form of ongoing licensing costs to maintain its usage.
In this case, we have assumed an implementation fee of $30,000 and yearly licensing costs amounting to $60,000. For a more conservative prediction, let’s assume that the university will also pay a monthly maintenance cost of $500. This brings the total cost of the AI chatbot to the university up to $96,000 for an entire year. (Interestingly, this number will be lower in years to follow, since the implementation fee is usually a one-off cost).
Quantifying the Benefits of an AI Chatbot
Now that we have a rough idea of the costs involved, next, we will look at how much this tech will save the university. For this situation, we will exclusively be looking at the ROI for a chatbot that only helps students. We have made some conservative assumptions to make sure that the predicted ROI is more realistic.
Staffing Costs
Since the AI chatbot will be capable of answering a range of questions much more quickly than a human can, universities will be able to optimize their workforce. If it aligns with the university’s strategic goals and operational needs, this technology could potentially mean they’d need two fewer people at the helpdesk. If we assume that each of these staff members earns $2,500 per month, that’s about $60,000 saved per year.
Of course, there’s another angle to consider. Instead of letting those employees go, the university could choose to repurpose them. Instead of manning the helpdesk, they could tackle more intricate student support tasks that the chatbot isn’t quite equipped to handle.
Assuming the chatbot saves an average of 3 minutes per inquiry and handles 100 inquiries per day, if the average hourly rate for staff is $15, the potential savings would be $1,500 per month ($75 per day * 20 working days).
Increased Student Enrollment
Moreover, we need to consider the potential increase in student enrollment due to improved accessibility and availability of the chatbot. We will also assume that the number of students enrolling at the university will increase by 1% since the AI chatbot has made it much easier to access information about how to apply or what they can study. An AI chatbot could also guide potential students through the application process and send them updates if their application status has changed. These improvements have the potential to generate an even higher increase in student enrollments since it is easier than ever to apply to the university.
Increased Student Retention
But the university won’t just see an increase in enrollment. Let’s assume that improved customer experience and support through the chatbot lead to a 1% increase in student retention.
Valuable Data and Insights
The AI chatbot also has the ability to collect and analyze user data. This will give the university access to in-depth analytics and insights which will help them make crucial data-driven decisions over the year. For the sake of this analysis, let’s assign a conservative estimate of $10,000 per year as the value derived from the chatbot’s ability to collect and analyze user data.
To keep this calculation conservative and realistic, we have not assigned a value for cost avoidance. However, it’s important to remember that the AI chatbot will also help the university avoid other costs throughout the year. This includes costs like the need for additional call centres or hiring temporary staff during peak periods.
Calculating the ROI
Now that we have established some assumptions and quantified the savings to the university, we can calculate the ROI. The ROI is calculated by taking the total benefits, subtracting the total cost, and then dividing that number by the total cost.
The total benefits to the university include a reduction in staffing costs, increased efficiency, increased enrolments, student retention, and insights and analytics. Following our assumptions, the total benefits tally up to a whopping $4,088,000.
On the other hand, the total cost, which includes the yearly licensing fees, implementation fee and possible maintenance costs, is a mere $96,000. So let’s do the math:
Total Benefits
Total Benefits: Reduction in Staffing Costs + Increased Efficiency + (Yearly Tuition Costs * Number of Students * Increase in Enrolments) + Analytics and Insights + (Student Retention Increase Number of Students * Yearly Tuition Costs)
Total Benefits: ($2,500 * 2 * 12) + ($1,500 * 12) + ($20,000 * 10,000 * 0.01) + $10,000 + (10,000 * 0.01 * $20,000)
Total Benefits: $60,000 + $18,000 + $2,000,000 + $10,000 + $2,000,000
Total Benefits: $4,088,000
Total Cost
Total Cost: Yearly Licensing Fees + Implementation Fee + Maintenance Fees
Total Cost: $60,000 + $30,000 + $6,000 = $96,000
ROI
ROI: (Total Benefits – Total Cost) / Total Cost * 100
ROI: ($4,088,000- $96,000) / $96,000 * 100
ROI: 4158.33%
Interpreting the ROI
Note: The ROI depicted in this hypothetical example is intended to illustrate the potential scale of benefits that could be realized under certain conditions. It is important for universities to undertake a detailed analysis of their unique situations to determine the feasibility and actual ROI of implementing an AI chatbot.
The total ROI of the AI chatbot to the university is an astounding 4158.33%. This ROI indicates that for every dollar spent on implementing an AI chatbot, a university could potentially gain $41.58.
With such a high ROI, it’s clear that investing in the AI chatbot is worthwhile for the university. Not only does it save money on staffing and improve efficiency, but it also leads to increased enrolment, student retention, and valuable insights. With a return of over 40 times the initial investment, it won’t be long before the AI chatbot pays for itself and begins generating significant savings and benefits for the university.
Potential Challenges of Implementing an AI Chatbot
As we’ve seen, there are abundant benefits to implementing an AI chatbot for universities. However, despite these benefits, implementing AI chatbots in a university setting may come with its own set of challenges and limitations.
To ensure the bot provides relevant and accurate answers, it needs a solid foundation to draw from. This involves spending time training and updating the information the bot is based on. Integrating the bot with the university’s existing systems and platforms can also be quite a lengthy process, requiring technical expertise.
It is also important to manage students’ expectations when implementing this technology. AI chatbots have various capabilities, and while they can handle some tasks typically done by human staff, they may not always offer the same level of human interaction and understanding that some students expect.
Universities need to find a balance between the advantages of automation and the need for personalized support with a human touch to successfully implement an AI chatbot.
Is The Cost Worth It?
The potential ROI of implementing an AI chatbot at a university is impressive. After crunching the number in this hypothetical scenario, the question is: Can universities afford not to invest in a chatbot? With a potential ROI of 4158%, the answer seems clear. But beyond the numbers, universities need to consider the impact on student satisfaction, staff productivity, and overall institutional effectiveness. The question isn’t whether to invest, but when.
Beyond the realm of university operations, the potential ROI of a chatbot speaks to larger trends in technology and education. It underscores the importance of using AI to drive efficiency and improve user experiences. By embracing this technology, universities can stay ahead of the curve and remain at the forefront of innovation in higher education.
While the projections make a good case for AI chatbots, it’s important to remember that it is based on a theoretical model. For a comprehensive and accurate assessment, universities need to delve into the nuances of their own operational landscapes. When it comes to adopting AI technology, it’s essential to have a profound understanding of both what the technology can do and what the university community truly requires.
If you’re ready to take the next step and harness the power of AI for your institution, reach out to Verge AI. As specialists in creating tailored AI chatbots for higher education institutions, we are here to guide you through the process and help you unlock the full potential of this technology. Contact Verge AI today and revolutionize the way your university operates.
Transparency Note: Verge AI is committed to promoting the thoughtful and informed adoption of AI technology in education. As a provider of AI chatbot solutions, our content is crafted to share insights and encourage dialogue on these advancements. We welcome your questions and feedback as part of this ongoing conversation.
