Artificial intelligence (AI) tools are becoming part of everyday life helping us to draft emails, brainstorming ideas, or looking up quick answers. At the University of Washington, new tools like Purple are making AI even more accessible to students. While these tools can be helpful, it’s important to understand their limits especially when it comes to immigration advice.
AI Can Be Helpful But It Has Limits
AI tools can be a great starting point for general questions. For example, they can help explain common terms like CPT, OPT, or maintaining status, or point you toward publicly available resources. They can also help you draft questions or organize your thoughts before reaching out to an advisor.
However, immigration regulations are complex and highly individualized. What applies to one student may not apply to another. AI tools generate responses based on patterns in data rather than your personal situation.
AI Does Not Have Access to Your Immigration Record
This is one of the most important things to keep in mind: AI tools, including Purple, do not have access to your SEVIS record, I-20, DS-2019, or any of your personal immigration history.
Only International Student Services (ISS) staff can:
- View your official immigration record
- Interpret your specific situation
- Provide guidance that is tailored to you and compliant with U.S. regulations
Because of this, AI tools may give answers that are incomplete, outdated, or not applicable to your case.
When to Use AI vs. When to Contact ISS
AI can be useful for:
- Understanding general immigration concepts
- Learning about common processes (for example: what OPT is)
- Drafting questions or emails to ISS
You should contact ISS directly for:
- Questions about your specific status or eligibility
- Travel plans and re-entry concerns
- CPT/OPT applications and timing
- Changes to your program, enrollment, or personal information
- Any situation where a mistake could impact your status
AI tools like Purple are exciting additions that can support your learning and help you navigate university life more efficiently. But when it comes to immigration, accuracy matters. Your status is too important to leave to generalized answers. A good rule of practice is if the question involves your personal situation, don’t rely on AI alone.