The extent to which artificial intelligence (AI) has been integrated into graduate STEM education and its impact on equity and diversity are unclear.

Graduate schools are focusing on ways to implement AI in administrative and academic processes and student experiences. While higher education leaders recognize the transformational power of AI, its use can produce both positive and negative impacts. AI’s ability to benefit some populations while disadvantaging others is particularly concerning. For example, AI may offer personalized instruction that aligns with diverse learning styles. However, it may also share biased information that perpetuates stereotypes.

With support provided by the Alfred P. Sloan Foundation (Grant Number: G-2024-22540), NORC researchers are working with U.S. graduate schools to ensure that AI innovations will strengthen the entire enterprise, including efforts to broaden success in science technology, engineering, and mathematics (STEM) education, and ultimately, participation in STEM careers.

NORC will survey STEM graduate school deans to produce a comprehensive portrait of AI policies, practices, and motivations.

NORC will survey deans who work at the top 300 STEM PhD-awarding universities to answer the following questions:

1. What policies and processes are currently in place or being considered at the institutional level regarding the integration of AI into the management and practice of graduate education?
2. What drives these policies and processes, and how do they address issues of equity, diversity, and inclusion?
3. What community-grounded guidelines can universities use to assess the impact of AI applications to enhance diversity, equity, and inclusion in STEM fields?

Following data collection, we will produce a white paper summarizing survey findings and host a convening with institutional leaders to review and engage with study results.