SwissCognitive Guest Blogger: Zachary Amos – “Leveraging AI to Predict and Reduce College Dropout Rates”

Artificial intelligence (AI) is already impacting education in many ways. Some schools are embracing it to serve students better, and many learners use it to help them with research and assignments. One of its more promising uses in this field, though, is reducing dropout rates.

Dropping out of college before finishing a degree may limit students’ opportunities in the future, but it can also be difficult for schools to predict. AI can help all parties involved through several means.

Identifying At-Risk Students

Preventing dropouts starts with recognizing which people are at risk of quitting prematurely. Machine learning is an optimal solution here because it excels at identifying patterns in vast amounts of data. Many factors can lead to dropping out, and each can be difficult to see, but AI can spot these developments before it’s too late.

Studies show early interventions based on warning signs can significantly reduce dropout rates, and AI enables such action. Educators can only intervene when they know it’s necessary to do so, and that level of insight is precisely what AI can provide.

Early examples of this technology have already achieved 96% accuracy in predicting students at risk of dropping out. Combining such predictions with a formal intervention plan could let higher ed facilities ensure more students finish their degrees.

Uncovering Non-Academic Risk Factors

In addition to recognizing known predictors of dropout risks, AI can uncover subtler, non-academic indicators. The causes of dropping out are not always easy to see in classroom performance. For example, over 60% of college students experience at least one mental health issue, which can threaten their education. AI can reveal these relationships.

Over time, AI will be able to highlight which non-tracked factors tend to appear in students with a high risk of dropping out. Once schools understand these non-academic warning signs, they can craft policies and initiatives to address them.
Enabling Personalized Education
AI is also a useful tool for minimizing the risks that lead to quitting school before someone even showcases them. Personalizing educational resources is one of the strongest ways it can do so.

The AI Research Center at Woxsen University in India successfully used chatbots to tailor lessons to individual students. Students utilizing the bot — which offered personalized reminders about classwork — were more likely to receive a B grade or higher. People attending Georgia State University showed similar results when using a chatbot to drive engagement.

Personalized education is effective because people have varying learning styles. AI provides the scale and insight necessary to recognize these differences and adapt resources accordingly, which would be impractical with manual alternatives.

Improving Accessibility

Similarly, AI can drive pupil engagement and prevent stress-related dropout factors by making education more accessible. Many classroom resources and university buildings were not designed with accessibility for all needs in mind. Consequently, they may hinder some students’ success, but AI can address these concerns.

Some AI apps can scan physical texts into digital notes to streamline note-taking for those with impairments limiting their ability to use pens or keyboards. Natural language processing can lead to better text-to-speech algorithms for users with vision impairments. On a larger scale, AI could analyze a campus to highlight areas where some buildings or walkways may need wheelchair ramps or other accessibility improvements.

Responsible AI Usage Can Minimize Dropout Rates

Some applications of AI in education — largely dealing with students’ usage of the technology — have raised concerns. The technology does pose some privacy risks and other ethical considerations, but as these use cases show, its potential for good is also too vast to ignore.

Responsible AI development and use can help universities ensure every student gets the help they need. As a result, dropout rates will fall. Schools will benefit from the higher student success rate, and the student body will benefit by achieving goals that will help them in their future careers.

About the Author:

Zachary Amos is the Features Editor at ReHack, where he writes about artificial intelligence, cybersecurity and other technology-related topics.

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From Mega Rounds to Market Ripples – SwissCognitive AI Investment Radar

The AI Investment Radar is back with another Thursday-to-Thursday round-up of the most significant developments in global AI funding and strategic investment. This week, headline attention was dominated by Anthropic’s $3.5 billion round—March’s largest raise—marking a continued race among frontier model developers. Yet beyond that, capital movements spanned from public sector commitments to corporate scaling strategies.

EY-Parthenon announced a $250 million allocation toward AI-powered edge platforms, while Deloitte reaffirmed its $3 billion commitment by expanding its Global Simulation Center of Excellence. OpenAI’s plans for a $40 billion round, led by SoftBank, underscored how large-scale compute and model development remain critical funding priorities.

At a government level, the EU pledged €1.3 billion to develop AI and digital skills under its Digital Europe Programme. On a global scale, IDC projects that AI investments will add $22.3 trillion in economic value by 2030, equating to nearly $5 for every dollar spent. Meanwhile, philanthropic and regional efforts—from Google’s $10 million AI grant to nonprofits, to Mastercard’s investment in Singapore-based AIDA—highlight the growing importance of distributed innovation.

CoreWeave’s downscaled IPO, along with continued investor concerns about AI implementation gaps, also offer a more tempered look at the market’s momentum. Yet from drug discovery at Isomorphic Labs to AI-enabled supply chain optimization, the range and depth of AI deployments continue to grow.

Tune in next week for more updates of the world of AI investments.

Previous SwissCognitive AI Radar: Global AI Capital Moves at Full Speed.

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Global AI Capital Moves at Full Speed – SwissCognitive AI Investment Radar

AI funding momentum hasn’t slowed. From global infrastructure projects to nuanced questions about investor confidence, this week brought high-dollar commitments alongside critical reflections on where the money is flowing—and why.

The United Arab Emirates made headlines with a bold $1.4 trillion, 10-year commitment to invest in the United States, a move that reflects the centrality of AI and tech collaboration in long-term statecraft. Meanwhile, BlackRock’s joint initiative with Microsoft, NVIDIA, and xAI signals continued investor appetite for large-scale AI infrastructure, with $100 billion earmarked for global data centers and energy solutions.

Several firms are also reinforcing their US presence: Hyundai announced a $21 billion investment, Siemens followed with $10 billion, and Schneider Electric added another $700 million—all aimed at fortifying AI-driven manufacturing and operations amid ongoing trade policy uncertainty.

Vietnam’s small businesses are setting the tone in Asia-Pacific, where 44% named AI their top tech investment for 2024. Fractal Analytics’ $13.7 million investment into India’s first reasoning model and Germany’s €2.1 million seed round for enterprise AI search show how national AI goals are increasingly shaped by local strategies and use cases.

Yet, not all attention is on infrastructure. Thought leaders at Man Group and other investment firms raised flags about the sustainability of AI stock valuations. An AI model under a top-performing fund has been flashing warnings on mega-cap tech stocks, including Nvidia. Still, audiences from pharma to finance are assessing AI’s value not just in terms of returns, but in ethics and relevance, particularly when it comes to pharma’s future and the realities of Artificial General Intelligence claims.

As global interest in AI capital remains high, this week’s updates highlight a shift from novelty to operational depth. More investment—yes—but also more scrutiny.

Previous SwissCognitive AI Radar: New AI Investment Funds and Strategic Expansions.

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New AI Investment Funds and Strategic Expansions – SwissCognitive AI Investment Radar

This week’s AI investment landscape sees bold financial commitments, expanding cloud infrastructure, and the growing influence of AI across industries. Oracle is set to invest £3.9 billion in the UK, alongside an additional $5 billion cloud expansion to strengthen AI adoption, signaling the company’s deep confidence in Britain’s AI future. Meanwhile, Saudi Arabia is launching a $40 billion AI fund, further establishing its role as a major player in the global AI race.

Microsoft’s AI investment strategy continues to gain momentum, earning an analyst upgrade as it builds out critical infrastructure. ARK Invest has joined a $403 million funding round for robotics firm Apptronik, highlighting investor enthusiasm for AI-powered automation. At the same time, Mirakl aims to push past $200 million in revenue with increased AI investments, showing how AI is reshaping business growth strategies.

In Asia, Thailand is attracting millions in AI data center investments, while Vietnam focuses on edge AI to compete in the global market. Azerbaijan is also setting its sights on AI by creating a strategy to attract foreign investment, positioning itself as an emerging tech hub.

AI’s role in finance and investment decision-making remains a focal point. National Grid Partners is committing $100 million to AI-driven energy solutions, while GapMinder Fund II is backing Romanian AI startup VoicePatrol, targeting real-time AI solutions for gaming. However, with AI’s growing influence, investors are warned about misinformation risks, reinforcing the need for well-vetted AI strategies.

With AI investments accelerating across industries, we continue to track how these financial commitments shape the broader technology and business landscape. Stay tuned for more insights in next week’s AI Investment Radar.

Previous SwissCognitive AI Radar: Major AI Funding Shifts.

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Major AI Funding Shifts – SwissCognitive AI Investment Radar

The AI investment landscape continues to evolve, with new funding rounds and strategic commitments driving the industry forward. This week, key players across finance, technology, and infrastructure have made major moves to expand AI capabilities, focusing on both software and cloud expansion. Salesforce pledged $1 billion toward AI development in Singapore, while Honor committed $10 billion to integrating AI across its product line.

Investment priorities are shifting from AI chips to software, with analysts predicting that software firms will capture more value in the coming years. Microsoft is expanding its cloud and AI infrastructure in South Africa with a $298 million investment, reflecting the rising demand for AI-driven services. Meanwhile, Barclays analysts note that AI models are evolving from training-based systems to more advanced reasoning engines, signaling a new phase in AI capabilities.

DeepSeek’s breakthrough continues to drive activity in China’s venture capital sector, attracting fresh funding after years of stagnation. Elsewhere, private equity firms are adjusting their investment strategies to keep pace with AI-driven business transformations.

With AI playing a bigger role in stock markets, investor sentiment is shifting as automation takes on a larger role in financial decision-making. The rise of AI-powered fintech solutions, such as Finnomena’s partnership with Google Cloud, further highlights the increasing role of AI in investment strategies.

Stay tuned as we track these developments and more, bringing you the latest insights from the growing AI investment world.

Previous SwissCognitive AI Radar: $100B for AI Chips, $40B for AI Bets.

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AI Expansion and This Week’s Top Investments – SwissCognitive AI Investment Radar

The AI investment landscape is more active than ever, with tech giants, governments, and venture capitalists committing billions to AI-driven projects and infrastructure. This week’s headlines include Meta’s potential $200 billion data center project, Apple’s record-breaking $500 billion investment in the U.S., and Microsoft reaffirming its $80 billion AI push. Meanwhile, Alibaba is set to invest $52 billion in AI over the next three years, reinforcing China’s commitment to AI leadership.

Europe is also making bold moves, with the EU mobilizing €200 billion for AI development, alongside France’s €109 billion investment plan, as President Macron aims to position the country at the heart of AI innovation. Additionally, Brookfield has pledged €20 billion towards AI projects in France, further strengthening Europe’s AI ecosystem.

On the venture capital side, Perplexity AI is launching a $50 million fund to support early-stage AI startups, while Atria AI secures £720K for its legal AI solutions. At the same time, Marlin Equity Partners has taken a majority stake in Napier AI, signaling growing interest in AI-powered financial crime prevention.

Asia is not staying behind in the race. Saudi Arabia secured $14.9 billion in AI investments at LEAP 25, while India sees 76% of companies already reporting positive AI returns, driving further long-term investments. Meanwhile, Wistron is boosting AI investment by 77%, showing growing confidence in AI’s role in business transformation.

Beyond corporate investments, AI’s impact on sustainability is becoming more evident, with new AI-driven green tech solutions gaining traction amid increasing regulatory scrutiny. Clarity AI launched a new tool for sustainable investing, helping fund managers navigate the evolving ESG landscape.

With AI funding accelerating across industries, next week’s developments will likely bring even more major announcements and strategic shifts. Stay tuned for the next edition of AI Investment Radar.

Previous SwissCognitive AI Radar: Where the AI Money is Going.

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Where the AI Money is Going – SwissCognitive AI Investment Radar

AI investment continues to dominate headlines, with global tech giants and emerging startups securing data-end=”1008″>massive funding rounds. Alphabet is leading the charge with a $75 billion AI investment plan, signaling a major expansion of its AI infrastructure this year. Meanwhile, Meta’s open-source AI strategy has fueled investor optimism, adding $240 billion to its market value over the past 12 days in an unprecedented stock rally.

Beyond Big Tech, AI investment is expanding across industries and geographies. SoftBank-backed billionaire Bhavish Aggarwal is injecting $230 million into Indian AI startup Krutrim, marking another step in India’s AI push. Japan is also making moves, with SoftBank and OpenAI launching a joint AI venture, aimed at providing AI-driven services to corporate customers. In Europe, AI startups have collectively raised $8 billion in 2024, ahead of the Artificial Intelligence Action Summit in France, where government leaders and tech executives will outline their AI strategies.

Despite the capital influx, investor skepticism remains, particularly around exaggerated AI claims. Early Nvidia investor Jonathan Cohen warns of ‘AI washing’, as more companies attempt to overstate their AI capabilities. Meanwhile, banks are cautiously investing in AI, focusing more on incremental efficiency gains rather than large-scale transformation.
For those evaluating AI investments, measuring real ROI is critical. Studies suggest that mid-sized businesses investing in AI could break even in just 9.5 months, achieving 281% ROI within three years. Yet, as AI infrastructure grows, concerns remain over capital expenditures, with Alphabet likely to face investor scrutiny on its AI spending in its upcoming earnings report.

With the DeepSeek controversy still rippling through AI markets, and major firms like Atlassian betting on AI-powered tools, the sector’s long-term investment landscape is evolving rapidly.

The coming weeks will reveal how capital continues to shape the future of AI across industries.

Previous SwissCognitive AI Radar: EU and France Go Big on AI.

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EU and France Go Big on AI – SwissCognitive AI Investment Radar

The AI investment landscape is taking another major leap forward this week, as governments and private investors pour billions into AI infrastructure and innovation. The European Union announced a massive €200 billion AI investment initiative, including a dedicated fund for AI gigafactories, signaling Europe’s intent to strengthen its global AI position. Meanwhile, French President Emmanuel Macron revealed a €109 billion AI investment package, just ahead of the AI Summit in Paris, where industry leaders like OpenAI’s Sam Altman are expected to weigh in on the future of AI policy and development.

Beyond Europe, AI capital continues to flow across the world. Saudi Arabia secured $14.9 billion in AI investments at the LEAP 25 tech conference, further reinforcing its ambition to become a major AI hub. Additionally, the kingdom has committed $1.5 billion to AI chip firm Groq, boosting its semiconductor and AI infrastructure efforts. Meanwhile, in India, 76% of companies already report positive AI returns, driving a wave of long-term AI investments as businesses look to integrate AI across new applications.

Private sector players are equally active. The Iliad Group announced a $3 billion AI investment, strengthening its position as Europe’s leading AI cloud provider. At the same time, Brookfield is committing €20 billion to AI projects in France, reinforcing the country’s growing reputation as a European AI powerhouse. SoftBank, however, reported a $2.4 billion loss in its Vision Fund but remains focused on long-term AI investments despite short-term financial turbulence.

Amid this investment frenzy, AI-driven sustainability solutions are gaining traction, as companies face mounting regulatory pressures. Clarity AI’s latest platform helps fund managers streamline ESG compliance, while Standard Chartered and the London Stock Exchange Group (LSEG) are deploying AI-powered investment tools to enhance retail investor strategies.

With Europe easing AI regulations to encourage competitiveness and Baidu’s CEO defending aggressive AI investments, the conversation is shifting from investment size to long-term returns and strategic positioning.

Next week’s developments are sure to bring more insights into where capital is flowing and how investors are adapting. Stay tuned!

Previous SwissCognitive AI Radar: AI Market Adjustments and Billion-Dollar Bets.

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AI Market Adjustments and Billion-Dollar Bets – SwissCognitive AI Investment Radar

The AI investment landscape remains as active as ever, with Alphabet announcing a staggering $75 billion commitment to AI infrastructure. This substantial bet highlights Big Tech’s continued push into AI dominance, following Meta’s $240 billion market value surge as investors back its open-source AI approach. Meanwhile, SoftBank is doubling down on AI, unveiling a joint venture with OpenAI in Japan and backing a $230 million investment into Indian AI startup Krutrim as the country accelerates its AI ambitions.

While these headline moves dominate discussions, AI hype versus reality is becoming a growing concern for investors. Early Nvidia investor Jonathan Cohen warns about “AI washing,” with companies inflating their AI capabilities to attract capital. This skepticism extends to financial institutions, where banks are ramping up AI investments, yet most are focused on incremental gains rather than disruptive overhauls.

Across the Atlantic, European AI startups raised $8 billion in 2024, setting the stage for the upcoming Artificial Intelligence Action Summit in Paris, where global leaders will debate AI’s role in economic growth. In fintech, AI-powered tools are attracting fresh funding, with Jump securing $20 million to develop AI-driven financial advisory solutions, while Marlin Equity Partners takes a majority stake in Napier AI, reinforcing AI’s role in financial crime prevention.

For investors looking at the financial impact of AI, new data suggests that mid-sized businesses can break even on AI investments within 9.5 months, achieving a 281% ROI in just three years. Yet, with Alphabet set to report earnings soon, investors are keen to scrutinize its AI-related capital expenditures, questioning whether such massive spending will translate into real returns.

Finally, China-based DeepSeek remains a wildcard in the AI trade, following its disruptive AI model that rattled the market last week. Whether its breakthrough is a game-changer or an overhyped anomaly remains a key debate among industry watchers.

As AI investments continue to shape global industries, we’ll be tracking the key shifts, opportunities, and market reactions in next week’s AI Investment Radar.

Previous SwissCognitive AI Radar: The AI Market Shake-Up: Where the Investments Are Headed.

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