AI Won't Fix University Bureaucracy, It Will Automate the Absurdity, Expert Warns

Universities facing administrative overload should not look to artificial intelligence as a quick fix, warns Akhil Barwadj. The promise of AI automation to solve institutional inefficiencies is a fallacy, he argues, and will only increase the burdens on already-struggling institutions. Instead of reducing workload, these systems risk entrenching existing problems by automating the very absurdities that plague higher education. Barwadj's critique comes as many universities explore AI tools to streamline tasks like admissions, scheduling, and student services, hoping to cut costs and improve efficiency. However, without addressing the underlying bureaucratic complexity, AI may simply speed up flawed processes. The warning serves as a caution for academic leaders eager to adopt new technology without first simplifying their operations. For students and faculty, the result could be more frustration, not less. The real solution, Barwadj suggests, lies in rethinking administrative structures—not in digitizing them.