NACE & Advisor AI: Pioneering Ethical AI Adoption in Education & Workforce Development

Bethlehem, PA — 2026 — As the economy rapidly shifts from information and services to knowledge and skills, education and workforce institutions are under growing pressure to adopt artificial intelligence in meaningful, responsible ways. Yet for many organizations, AI adoption remains fragmented, uneven, or disconnected from the people it is meant to serve.

In response to these challenges, the National Association of Colleges and Employers (NACE) and Advisor AI are sharing insights from their collaboration—examining how AI can be more clearly understood, thoughtfully applied, and responsibly governed across higher education and workforce development. The focus of this work is not on adoption for its own sake, but on helping institutions move beyond isolated pilots toward people-centered, ethical AI practices that strengthen career readiness and expand economic mobility.

This collaboration comes at a pivotal moment. Federal and industry data show that AI adoption remains limited—only 5–40% of firms report using AI, and one in four workers say they do not use AI at all (Fed). Among those who do, 78% rely on tools they bring themselves, rather than employer-supported systems (Microsoft & LinkedIn). Even more concerning, just 12.5% of interns report developing AI skills during their internships—highlighting a growing disconnect between education, workforce preparation, and the future of work (NACE Student Survey, 2025).

Taken together, these signals point to a common challenge: institutions are being asked to prepare learners for an AI-enabled world while still determining how to use the technology effectively themselves. Through this collaboration, NACE and Advisor AI are sharing practical lessons and applied approaches that emphasize clarity, trust, and human judgment—ensuring AI supports decision-making rather than replacing it.

As part of this learning process, NACE examined how AI could be integrated within its own organization to improve access to information while modeling responsible adoption for the field. With a growing volume of research, guidance, and data housed on naceweb.org, the association sought a way to help members and practitioners more easily find the most relevant insights at the moment they need them.

The resulting approach introduced an AI-powered, conversational interface designed to navigate NACE’s existing resources more intuitively. Rather than changing the underlying content, the system focuses on surfacing relevant materials in response to user questions, reducing friction and improving discoverability. In parallel, anonymized usage insights help NACE better understand emerging topics of interest, informing future research and content development.

NACE’s experience surfaces an important lesson for institutions exploring AI adoption: successful implementation depends as much on context and expertise as on technology. Working with partners who understand both the technical and domain-specific considerations can help organizations move more confidently while maintaining accuracy, compliance, and ethical standards.

"NACE has long maintained a robust library of valuable insights and critical data, but accessing that information in an intuitive and seamless way has been a challenge. Our partnership with Advisor AI will enable us to better serve the needs and curiosity of those who rely on our resources. We’re excited for this collaboration to help our extensive knowledge reach more people—and to do so in ways that truly meet their expectations."

— Shawn VanDerziel, CEO, National Association of Colleges and Employers

“When technology is implemented with intention, it becomes a tool that strengthens—not substitutes—human expertise. Helping teams find the right information at the right moment creates momentum and supports better outcomes for the communities they serve. We are grateful for the opportunity to support NACE & the global community of educators and early talent professionals.”

— Arjun Arora, Founder, Advisor AI

NACE continues to lead the conversation on AI’s role in higher education and early talent by pairing thought leadership with reflective, practical implementation. By sharing its own approach, the association aims to help members and the broader community better understand how AI can be integrated strategically, ethically, and with measurable impact.

About the National Association of Colleges and Employers: Established in 1956, the National Association of Colleges and Employers (NACE) is the only professional association in the United States that connects more than 13,000 college career services professionals, more than 3,800 early career talent acquisition professionals, and more than 400 business solution providers that serve this community.

About Advisor AI
Advisor AI, founded in 2023, supports educational institutions and workforce organizations in advancing student success and economic mobility by delivering guidance that is personalized, comprehensive, and accessible. Grounded in research from more than 100 colleges and developed by a team of higher education leaders and ethical AI experts, the platform provides institutions with insights and tools to help students navigate their educational journeys with greater clarity and confidence.