Why Humans Are Still Better Than AI at Evaluating Academic Credentials

At Academic Credentials Evaluation Institute, Inc., we are proponents of emerging technologies and recognize the potential of artificial intelligence to enhance efficiency and streamline processes in academic credential evaluation. However, we believe AI must be used responsibly and with caution—always in conjunction with human expertise and professional judgment to ensure accuracy, fairness, and contextual understanding.

Given the complexity, variability, and high stakes involved in academic evaluations, it is essential that any use of AI is guided by trained professionals who can ensure accuracy, fairness, and contextually informed judgment. We remain committed to responsible innovation, and any AI tools we use will serve to support—not replace—the human expertise that underpins the integrity of our evaluations.

In an age where artificial intelligence is transforming industries and automating tasks once thought exclusive to human expertise, one might ask: can AI accurately evaluate academic credentials? While AI has made impressive strides in data analysis and pattern recognition, the evaluation of international academic records is still an area where human judgment reigns supreme.

Here’s why human evaluators continue to outperform AI in this nuanced and critical field:

1. Context Is Everything

Evaluating academic credentials isn’t just about converting grades or comparing course titles. It’s about understanding the broader context:

• Educational systems vary widely across countries—and even within countries—depending on the time period, institution type, and local policies.
• Historical and political changes (e.g., name changes of universities, educational reforms, civil conflicts) affect how credentials should be interpreted.

Humans bring historical knowledge, cultural literacy, and the ability to read between the lines—something AI struggles with in complex, unstructured situations.

2. Not All Credentials Are Created Equal

Two degrees that appear identical on paper may have vastly different academic value depending on:

• The institution’s accreditation status
• The rigor of coursework
• The mode of study (in-person, online, distance learning, hybrid)
• Authenticity and susceptibility to fraud

Experienced credential evaluators know what red flags to look for and which details require verification. AI might flag obvious forgeries, but subtle inconsistencies often go unnoticed without human scrutiny.

3. Language Nuances and Translation Challenges

AI translation has improved, but human evaluators are far better at interpreting:

• Educational terminology that lacks a direct English equivalent
• Ambiguous wording or non-standard abbreviations
• Handwritten or poorly formatted documents

Misunderstanding one phrase in a transcript can lead to inaccurate conversions or misrepresentation of a student’s academic history—something a skilled human evaluator avoids by drawing on training and experience.

4. Grading Scales Are Not Universal

One of the most complex parts of credential evaluation is converting foreign grades into a local equivalent (e.g., U.S. GPA). This process requires:

• Recognizing institutional or national grading scales
• Identifying whether grades are norm-referenced or criterion-referenced
• Knowing when to apply an alternate scale due to missing data

Humans make these decisions with caution, relying on nuanced guidelines and ethical standards—whereas AI might default to a generic formula and miss critical exceptions.

5. Professional Judgment and Accountability

Credential evaluators often work under professional standards and codes of ethics. Their work is:

• Auditable and open to peer review
• Flexible in the face of new or rare documentation
• Responsible for decisions that can impact immigration, licensure, and educational advancement

AI lacks this professional accountability. If it makes an error, it can’t defend its reasoning or take responsibility—two things human professionals are trained to do.

6. Credentials Are Not Just Data—they’re Personal

Every academic document represents a human journey—often filled with effort, sacrifice, and personal goals. Human evaluators bring empathy and a person-centered approach, recognizing that no two educational paths are exactly alike.

AI, for all its computational power, cannot appreciate the human story behind a set of documents.

In my opinion, AI can assist with document intake, formatting, data extraction, and even preliminary checks. But when it comes to nuanced interpretation, context-based judgment, and ethical responsibility, humans remain irreplaceable.

In Conclusion

As AI continues to evolve, it should be seen as a tool to support—not replace—the deep expertise of credential evaluators. The stakes are simply too high to entrust a student’s future or a professional’s license solely to an algorithm.  That’s exactly how we utilize AI technology in evaluating foreign academic credentials.  A great tool in assisting us to evaluate credentials.

Alan Saidi
Senior Vice-President, COO & CTO

The Academic Credentials Evaluation Institute, Inc. (ACEI), was founded in 1994 and is based in Los Angeles, CA, USA. ACEI is a full-service company providing complete and integrated services in the areas of international education research, credential evaluation, training and consultancy. https://acei-global.org/