Assistant or Judge: the Role of Artificial Intelligence in Study Program Accreditation

The article addresses issues related to the use of artificial intelligence for the evaluation of the quality of study programmes and educational institutions in terms of accreditation. Ongoing changes in the structure and content of higher education are due to the state educational policy; however, technological challenges that higher education is facing should not be disregarded, especially since higher education quite effectively applies technological innovations in the educational process (teaching, learning, management). Accreditation, as a procedure of evaluation, recognition, and quality assurance of education, on the one hand, should respond to changes in the educational process. On the other hand, it should use modern available digital technologies, including AI tools. This research aims to analyze and describe the testing of digital and AI tools in the pilot project TOP accreditation, as well as to discuss the prospects for developing such approaches in Russia, given the international trends. A hypothesis was developed that natural intelligence, an expert, cannot be replaced by artificial intelligence when evaluating the relevance and quality of information sources in use, as well as when making a final decision about education quality. The analysis of international practices showed that most initiatives on using AI in accreditation are at the stage of academic studies or early pilot projects. The findings can be used when developing a strategy and procedures for education quality evaluation, and making decisions on accreditation.