Navigating the New Landscape of GEM: The Future of AI and Equity, and Reflections on Historic Changes in Admissions

Higher education is in a moment of major disruption, with a variety of social forces acting upon it (including, among others, the rise of generative AI and the decline of Affirmative Action). In this presentation, we reflect upon the current state of change, drawing upon insights from ETS’s 2025 pulse survey of NAGAP members. We present GEM professionals’ evolving thoughts on acceptable use of AI in the recruitment and admissions processes – both for GEM professionals and their institutions and for graduate program applicants. We also present the latest data on factors influencing application requirements across institutions, including the role of the Affirmative Action decision. We close with a discussion with ETS and NAGAP representatives on the implications of these findings for GEM policies and practice.