Higher Intelligence

In this episode of Higher Intelligence, Dr. JC Bonilla and guest Dr. Gregor Thuswaldner examine who decides what AI is allowed to do on campus and who holds accountability when AI goes wrong. They discuss recent government intervention in AI model deployment, the rise of AI-powered academic discovery, and the emergence of agentic AI workflows in higher education. Drawing on leadership frameworks and real campus examples, the conversation explores practical approaches to AI governance, ethical considerations, and how higher ed leaders can balance progress with accountability.

Explore the rise of agentic AI in higher education with Brian Gann, Vice President for Enrollment & Student Services at Wake Technical Community College, and Justin May, Chief Officer of Enrollment Management at Richard Bland College, who discuss how colleges are integrating AI agents to support enrollment, advising, and student services. The conversation covers the latest AI advancements, practical deployment strategies, overcoming staff fears, and building scalable solutions. Listeners gain insights into real-world success stories, MVP approaches, and the evolving relationship between human staff and AI assistants on the modern campus.

JC Bonilla is joined by Ty Fujimura and Sydney Blozan of Element451 to unpack the recent leap in AI’s capabilities — from being just a tool to becoming a trusted teammate. Together, they explore the Claude vs. ChatGPT debate, and the real-world implications of these tools on workflows, strategy, and higher ed operations. This fast-paced, insight-packed conversation gives higher ed leaders and enrollment marketers a glimpse into the AI-powered future that’s already here.

The Higher Intelligence podcast delivers smart takes on AI and EdTech for the next-generation campus. Hosted by EdTech executive, data scientist, and professor Dr. JC Bonilla, the show breaks down the most important AI stories, explains how the technology works, and translates hype into real implications for higher education leaders. Join us twice weekly for clear thinking with no noise. Just AI and EdTech, explained — for higher education.

JC Bonilla and Ardis Kadiu dive into the shifting landscape of artificial intelligence—from industry layoffs and OpenAI’s trillion-dollar ambitions to what they’re hearing on the ground at higher education conferences. With thousands of miles traveled and dozens of conversations had with CIOs, trustees, and technologists, this episode explores how AI is reshaping org charts, influencing new browser experiences, and slowly (but surely) becoming a real operational force across campuses. If you're curious about how agentic AI is showing up in enrollment marketing and student success, this is a must-listen.