Empowering Student Leadership Through Artificial Intelligence: Enhancing Decision-Making, Communication, and Engagement
Primary Investigator (PI) Name
Eduardo Farfan
Department
SPCEET – Mechanical Engineering
Abstract
Artificial intelligence (AI) offers emerging opportunities to enhance leadership effectiveness within student organizations. This study examines how AI tools, particularly Large Language Models (LLMs), can support student organization presidents in decision-making, communication, strategic planning, member engagement, and recruitment. Drawing on interviews, surveys, and practical use cases from university leadership programs, the research explores how AI-assisted tools can streamline administrative tasks, generate data-informed insights, and foster more inclusive and responsive leadership practices. Findings indicate that AI applications can significantly improve efficiency in meeting preparation, goal tracking, and message development, allowing presidents to dedicate more time to mentorship and organizational culture. However, the study also identifies key limitations, including overreliance on automated outputs, ethical concerns regarding data privacy, and the need for digital literacy training to ensure responsible AI use. Ultimately, this research underscores AI’s potential as a collaborative partner in student leadership; enhancing, rather than replacing, human judgment, empathy, and creativity.
Disciplines
Leadership Studies | Organization Development
Empowering Student Leadership Through Artificial Intelligence: Enhancing Decision-Making, Communication, and Engagement
Artificial intelligence (AI) offers emerging opportunities to enhance leadership effectiveness within student organizations. This study examines how AI tools, particularly Large Language Models (LLMs), can support student organization presidents in decision-making, communication, strategic planning, member engagement, and recruitment. Drawing on interviews, surveys, and practical use cases from university leadership programs, the research explores how AI-assisted tools can streamline administrative tasks, generate data-informed insights, and foster more inclusive and responsive leadership practices. Findings indicate that AI applications can significantly improve efficiency in meeting preparation, goal tracking, and message development, allowing presidents to dedicate more time to mentorship and organizational culture. However, the study also identifies key limitations, including overreliance on automated outputs, ethical concerns regarding data privacy, and the need for digital literacy training to ensure responsible AI use. Ultimately, this research underscores AI’s potential as a collaborative partner in student leadership; enhancing, rather than replacing, human judgment, empathy, and creativity.