State of AI Adoption in HigherEd: Insights from USG AI Summit

Generation AI

In this episode of Generation AI, hosts Ardis Kadiu and JC Bonilla dive deep into the current state of AI adoption in higher education, drawing insights from their experience at the University System of Georgia AI Summit 2024. They explore the evolution of AI technology, from its historical roots to the latest developments in generative AI and AI assistants. The conversation highlights the gap between the potential of AI in education and the current readiness of institutions to adopt these technologies. Ardis introduces a fascinating framework for understanding the AI stack, explaining how it can revolutionize student engagement and personalization at scale.

The Current State of AI Adoption in Higher Education (00:00:06)

• Insights from the University System of Georgia AI Summit 2024
• Discussion on the readiness of institutions to adopt AI technologies
• The gap between AI potential and current implementation in education

Historical Context and Evolution of AI (00:05:48)

• Overview of AI development since the 1950s
• The progression from simple models to neural networks and transformers
• How recent advancements have led to the current capabilities of generative AI

The AI Stack: A Framework for Understanding AI Systems (00:13:48)

• Explanation of the four layers: Brain (LLM), Memory, Skills, and Orchestration
• How these layers work together to create sophisticated AI assistants
• The importance of context and personality in AI interactions

Personalization at Scale in Higher Education (00:27:24)

• The challenge of providing personalized experiences to students
• How AI can enable segment-of-one marketing and engagement
• The concept of a digital team powered by AI to enhance student experiences

The Future of AI in Higher Education (00:28:38)

• Survey results on perceived usefulness of AI in different areas of education
• Discussion on the overemphasis on teaching and learning applications
• The potential for AI in enrollment management and student experience

Beyond Prompt Engineering (00:29:24)

• Why prompt engineering may become less relevant in the near future
• The evolution of AI interfaces and how they're becoming more user-friendly
• The importance of focusing on practical applications rather than technical details

Challenges in AI Adoption for Higher Education Institutions (00:34:13)

• The tendency for institutions to be late adopters of new technologies
• The need for education and early adopters to drive innovation
• How AI readiness varies across different departments within universities

Closing Thoughts (00:38:53)

• The potential for AI to reinforce silos within universities
• The importance of enterprise-level AI readiness
• The ongoing work needed to fully integrate AI into higher education

- - - -
Connect With Our Co-Hosts:
Ardis Kadiu
https://www.linkedin.com/in/ardis/
https://twitter.com/ardis

Dr. JC Bonilla
https://www.linkedin.com/in/jcbonilla/
https://twitter.com/jbonillx

About The Enrollify Podcast Network:
Generation AI is a part of the Enrollify Podcast Network. If you like this podcast, chances are you’ll like other Enrollify shows too! Some of our favorites include The EduData Podcast and Visionary Voices: The College President’s Playbook.

Enrollify is made possible by Element451 — the next-generation AI student engagement platform helping institutions create meaningful and personalized interactions with students. Learn more at element451.com.

Element451 is hosting the AI Engage Summit on Oct 29 and 30
Register now for this free, virtual event.
The future of higher ed is being redefined by the transformative power of AI. The AI Engage Summit brings together higher ed leaders, innovators, and many of your favorite Enrollify creators to explore AI’s impact on student engagement, enrollment marketing, and institutional success. Experience firsthand how AI is improving content personalization at scale, impacting strategic decision-making, and intuitively automating the mundane tasks that consume our time. The schedule is packed with real examples and case studies, so you leave knowing how to harness AI to drive meaningful change at your institution. Whether you’re looking to enhance student outcomes, optimize enrollment marketing, or simply stay ahead of the curve, the AI Engage Summit is your gateway to the next level of higher education innovation. Registration is free, save your spot today.