Generation AI is the groundbreaking podcast designed exclusively for higher education professionals who are keen to navigate the dynamic world of Artificial Intelligence.
In a landscape where AI is rapidly transforming how we teach, learn, and engage, ”Generation AI” serves as your essential guide. Each episode delves into the most pressing AI topics, breaking down complex concepts into understandable, actionable insights. Whether you’re a marketer, administrator, or tech enthusiast, this show will illuminate how AI is reshaping the academic experience and what it means for the future of education.
Join us as we explore the latest news, trends, and developments in AI. From data-driven decision-making to personalized engagement and learning experiences, and the ethical implications of AI in education, ”Generation AI” covers it all. With expert commentary, in-depth analysis, and a focus on practical applications, this show is dedicated to empowering higher education professionals to leverage AI for strategic advantage.
”Generation AI” isn’t just about understanding AI – it’s about being part of the AI revolution in education. Tune in, get informed, and be inspired to innovate in your educational space with the power of AI.
Avsnitt
Dear Class of 2025: You're Competing with AI for Your First Job
In this eye-opening episode of Generation AI, hosts Ardis Kadiu and JC Bonilla tackle the harsh reality facing the Class of 2025 - the first graduating class in human history competing directly with AI for entry-level jobs. With college graduate unemployment hitting 6% (exceeding the national average for the first time in 45 years), they explore how AI is fundamentally reshaping the job market. The hosts analyze reports from CBS News and SignalFire, discuss Anthropic CEO Dario Amodei's stark prediction of 20% unemployment, and offer practical advice for new grads navigating this unprecedented shift. This episode is essential listening for students, parents, educators, and anyone concerned about how AI is transforming the path from education to employment.
The First Generation Competing with AI (00:00:00)
- Setting up the paradox: greatest productivity explosion yet most uncertain future for graduates
- Every generation gets a defining technology - this one gets AI
- 4 million Americans graduating into the tightest labor market competing with AI
Unprecedented Graduate Unemployment Crisis (00:05:52)
- College graduate unemployment hits 6% vs 4.2% national average
- First time in 45 years graduates face higher unemployment than general population
- Average student loan debt of $37,000 creating impossible catch-22
- Entry-level positions requiring 3-5 years experience
Tech Industry Restructuring and Entry-Level Freeze (00:10:20)
- Microsoft, Google, Meta, Amazon freezing entry-level programming positions
- Tech companies posting record profits while eliminating junior roles
- Tech as historic engine of economic mobility now stalling
- Parents questioning if STEM degrees still matter
Dario Amodei's 20% Unemployment Warning (00:19:51)
- Anthropic CEO predicts unemployment rivaling Great Depression
- 80% of code to be written by AI within two years
- Discussion of hyperbole vs reality in AI predictions
- GDP growth implications and historical context
All In Podcast Insights: New Grads as "Autocomplete of the Past" (00:25:00)
- Chamath's analogy: new grads were human autocomplete, AI does it better
- Young + AI-native = hireable vs old + resistant = obsolete
- Solution: start companies, join startups, or get left behind
- Every revolution creates more than it destroys
Universities at a Crossroads (00:28:48)
- Education as expensive trap vs great equalizer debate
- Curriculum development pressure and credential inflation
- Universities' slow response but emphasis on critical thinking
- Alternative paths (bootcamps, certificates) under pressure
Practical Advice for New Graduates (00:34:22)
- Double down on becoming AI-native - use every tool, automate everything
- Skip Fortune 500s - target Series A startups or start your own
- Embrace controlled chaos - job security is dead, adaptability is key
- Find human + AI roles, not human vs AI positions
- Interview question tip: ask how they use AI personally
The Great Experiment with No Control Group (00:39:06)
- Running an unprecedented experiment on an entire generation
- Class of 2025: lost generation or first AI generation?
- Old path closing for students, revolution or irrelevance for educators
- Everyone must be an active participant, not passive observer
- Industrial revolution parallels and being part of history
- - - -
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!
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.
Attend the 2025 Engage Summit!
The Engage Summit is the premier conference for forward-thinking leaders and practitioners dedicated to exploring the transformative power of AI in education. Explore the strategies and tools to step into the next generation of student engagement, supercharged by AI. You'll leave ready to deliver the most personalized digital engagement experience every step of the way.
Register now to secure your spot in Charlotte, NC, on June 24-25, 2025! Early bird registration ends February 1st -- https://engage.element451.com/register
Windows goes agent-first, Google AI Mode lands, Veo 3 kills Hollywood, Ive + OpenAI $6.5B deal, Claude 4 hits
In this news-packed episode, JC and Ardis break down the major AI announcements from Microsoft Build, Google I/O, OpenAI's acquisition of Jony Ive's company, and Anthropic's Claude 4 launch. They explore how Microsoft is transforming Windows into an agent-first platform with MCP integration, Google's massive push into AI applications with Veo 3 video generation and AI search mode, OpenAI's $6.5 billion move into hardware design, and Anthropic's new Claude 4 model focused on advanced coding. The hosts discuss what these developments mean for higher education professionals and how each tech giant is positioning itself differently - Microsoft as the agent OS, Google as the AI dev layer, OpenAI owning AI interfaces, and Anthropic delivering the agent brain.
Introduction and Overview (00:00:00)
- Rapid-fire week of AI announcements from major tech companies
- Microsoft Build, Google I/O, OpenAI hardware moves, and Anthropic Claude 4
- Each company positioning differently in the AI ecosystem
Microsoft Build 2025: Windows Goes Agent-First (00:02:55)
- Windows AI Foundry emerges as toolkit for building AI agents
- Adoption of Model Context Protocol (MCP) for multi-agent orchestration
- Windows Recall bringing memory and context to AI assistants
- Copilot Studio for building agents across Microsoft ecosystem
- NLWeb transforms websites into conversational interfaces for AI agents
Google I/O: The AI Application Layer Push (00:11:46)
- Gemini models show 50x increase in usage year-over-year
- Introduction of Gemini 2.5 Flash and Pro with deep thinking mode
- LearnLM: Fine-tuned models specifically for education
- Veo 3: Revolutionary AI video generation with synchronized audio
- ImageGen 4 for advanced image generation
- Flow: AI-powered filmmaking tool for creating scenes and characters
- NotebookLM now creates video overviews from concepts
Google AI Search Mode: The SEO Game Changer (00:24:49)
- Structured answers replacing traditional blue links
- Mobile search with video and image capabilities
- Major implications for website traffic and SEO strategies
- Competition with Perplexity and ChatGPT search
- Shift in user behavior toward deep research queries
OpenAI Acquires Jony Ive's Company IO (00:33:25)
- $6.5 billion acquisition brings iPhone designer to OpenAI
- Focus on ambient intelligence and AI-first physical devices
- Moving beyond software to hardware interfaces
- Potential for revolutionary AI device design
- The evolution from productive to hedonic technology
Anthropic Launches Claude 4 (00:41:26)
- Advanced reasoning and coding proficiency improvements
- Positioning as one of the most capable coding models
- Enhanced agent use capabilities
- Deep reasoning for complex problem-solving
- Expansion of API to support MCP integration
MCP: The Universal Protocol Connecting Everything (00:43:48)
- All major players adopting Model Context Protocol
- Microsoft, Google, OpenAI, and Anthropic supporting MCP
- Simplifying integrations between AI systems
- Creating the "HTTP for agents" to communicate
- Major implications for building connected AI ecosystems
Key Takeaways and Future Implications (00:46:18)
- Microsoft building the agent operating system
- Google creating the AI development layer
- OpenAI focusing on AI interfaces and hardware
- Anthropic delivering the agent brain
- All working toward AI systems that live, think, and work across everything
- - - -
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!
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.
Attend the 2025 Engage Summit!
The Engage Summit is the premier conference for forward-thinking leaders and practitioners dedicated to exploring the transformative power of AI in education. Explore the strategies and tools to step into the next generation of student engagement, supercharged by AI. You'll leave ready to deliver the most personalized digital engagement experience every step of the way.
Register now to secure your spot in Charlotte, NC, on June 24-25, 2025! Early bird registration ends February 1st -- https://engage.element451.com/register
AI Didn't Break Education - It Exposed the Cracks
In this thought-provoking episode of Generation AI, hosts Dr. JC Bonilla and Ardis Kadiu welcome special guest Michael McGetrick, a veteran educator and creative technologist, to explore how AI is transforming teaching and learning. They discuss the urgent question facing educators today: what is AI doing to student learning? The conversation examines how AI is exposing existing cracks in educational systems rather than breaking them, highlighting a "relevance crisis" rather than a "cheating crisis." From redesigning assessment methods to understanding how AI enhances skill-based learning, the hosts share research findings and personal experiences about the real impact of tools like ChatGPT in education, and how students and educators can adapt to this new reality that's already here.
AI's Impact on Teaching and Learning Today (00:00:00)
- AI is exposing existing cracks in educational systems rather than breaking them
- Introduction to the urgent questions facing educators, parents, and technologists
- The shift from AI as the future of education to AI as the present reality
Introduction to Mike McGetrick and His Course (00:02:23)
- Mike McGetrick joins as a guest expert - principal at Spark451, veteran educator, and creative technologist
- The hosts establish their educational backgrounds and experiences
- Mike shares his experience teaching a generative AI course at Brooklyn College
Designing a Curriculum for Generative AI (00:05:27)
- How Mike approached creating a curriculum from scratch for teaching AI in design
- Balancing traditional design principles with new AI tools
- The importance of building a foundation of knowledge while integrating AI tools
The Time-to-Value Shift in Learning (00:07:48)
- Students can now apply principles in minutes rather than over weeks
- How immediate application affects the learning process
- Teaching students to think about design elements as "data features" for prompts
The "Cheating" Controversy in Education (00:12:25)
- Discussion of the viral New York Magazine article about students using AI
- The concept of "cheating" versus utilizing available tools
- How traditional assessment methods are becoming outdated
Redefining Learning Through Outcomes (00:17:52)
- Focus on quality of output rather than effort or "the grind"
- The balance between mental health concerns and educational standards
- The importance of learning through struggle and growth
The Relevance Crisis in Higher Education (00:27:59)
- AI didn't break education - it exposed how outdated it already was
- The need for education to adapt to modern skills and outcomes
- How higher education needs to evolve to remain relevant
Research Findings on AI's Impact on Learning (00:29:23)
- Discussion of 51 studies on ChatGPT's effect on learning
- Learning performance shows significant improvement with AI after 4-8 weeks
- Moderate effects on concept learning and higher-order thinking
AI as Coach Rather Than Answer Provider (00:36:54)
- The importance of using AI as a thinking partner
- Concern about students not building foundational knowledge
- The need to teach students about their own learning process
AI in the Workforce (00:40:59)
- The growing emphasis on AI skills in the workplace
- CEOs requiring employees to use AI as part of their jobs
- Debate on whether specialists or generalists will thrive in an AI-driven workplace
Closing Thoughts: A Path Forward (00:49:17)
- Suggestion for a new course on "My Learning Journey" to help students understand how learning happens
- Understanding the learning process as crucial for deciding how to use AI effectively
- The transformation of education and embracing the changes ahead
- - - -
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!
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.
Attend the 2025 Engage Summit!
The Engage Summit is the premier conference for forward-thinking leaders and practitioners dedicated to exploring the transformative power of AI in education. Explore the strategies and tools to step into the next generation of student engagement, supercharged by AI. You'll leave ready to deliver the most personalized digital engagement experience every step of the way.
Register now to secure your spot in Charlotte, NC, on June 24-25, 2025! Early bird registration ends February 1st -- https://engage.element451.com/register
Model Context Protocol (MCP): Making AI Agents Talk to Your Data
In this insightful episode of Generation AI, hosts Ardis Kadiu and JC Bonilla tackle Model Context Protocol (MCP), a new standardization that's gaining rapid adoption across the AI industry. They explain how MCP functions as a universal adapter between AI models and data sources, solving the "Frankenstein middleware" problem that makes building AI agents so complex today. The hosts break down why this matters for higher education professionals, how it reduces hallucinations by improving data access, and why major players like OpenAI, Google, and HubSpot are already implementing it. This episode offers critical insight into how standardization will make AI tools more useful and less complex for everyone.
What is Model Context Protocol (MCP)? (00:01:00)
- Introduction to MCP as a standardization protocol for AI agents
- Hosts explain MCP as a way to help AI access context and data
- The "three-legged stool" of AI agents: intelligence, context, and action
- MCP provides the standard for how agents communicate with data sources
MCP as the Universal AI Adapter (00:04:42)
- JC compares MCP to standardized protocols like TCP/IP and USB-C
- MCP sits between models like Claude or Gemini and various data sources
- It eliminates the need for custom connectors between each tool and AI model
- The protocol's simplicity as a minimal viable product (MVP) is key to its success
How MCP Works (00:07:03)
- MCP is a protocol, not an API, that describes format and flow
- "Discovery first" approach where AI asks "what can you do?"
- Uses JSON format for tools and data exchange
- Works both locally and remotely over HTTP
The Technical Benefits of MCP (00:13:14)
- Solves the "m by n headache" of needing separate connectors for each model-tool pair
- Reduces hallucinations by providing AI with reliable data sources
- Gives AI models access to specialized tools for tasks they struggle with
- Enables "grounding" in real data rather than making things up
Industry Adoption and Momentum (00:17:14)
- OpenAI, Google, HubSpot, LangChain and others already implementing MCP
- HubSpot's beta MCP server allows for direct CRM data access in Claude
- Growing availability for tools like Slack, Teams, and Zapier
- Discussion of how MCP layers on top of existing APIs
Practical Applications (00:20:36)
- Higher education examples: connecting LMS, advisor notes, financial aid systems
- Sales use case: AI agents accessing CRM data through MCP for follow-ups
- DevOps: AI monitoring logs, creating tickets, and managing communication
- Analytics: Connecting data sources, models, and reporting tools seamlessly
Challenges and Considerations (00:23:17)
- MCP requires widespread adoption to be truly effective
- Product teams must be convinced to implement it alongside existing APIs
- Possibility that another protocol might eventually win out
- Current technical hurdles for implementation that are being addressed
Call to Action for Listeners (00:26:03)
- Experiment with MCP servers that connect to Claude desktop
- For AI product builders: write MCP servers for your applications now
- Ask AI vendors: "Do you speak MCP?" as a signal of cutting-edge capability
- MCP as the new standard, comparable to asking "Do you have an API?"
Conclusion: The Future of AI Integration (00:29:14)
- MCP's architectural implications for more open, modular AI systems
- The need for agents to speak a common language across platforms
- Invitation for listeners to share which workflows they'll connect once MCP goes mainstream
- - - -
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!
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.
Attend the 2025 Engage Summit!
The Engage Summit is the premier conference for forward-thinking leaders and practitioners dedicated to exploring the transformative power of AI in education. Explore the strategies and tools to step into the next generation of student engagement, supercharged by AI. You'll leave ready to deliver the most personalized digital engagement experience every step of the way.
Register now to secure your spot in Charlotte, NC, on June 24-25, 2025! Early bird registration ends February 1st -- https://engage.element451.com/register
The Vibe Coding Revolution
In this episode of Generation AI, hosts JC Bonilla and Ardis Kadiu examine the growing phenomenon of "vibe coding" - a new AI-powered approach to software development that allows anyone to create functional applications by simply describing what they want in natural language. They discuss how tools like Lovable, Cursor, and Replit are making it possible to build complex, multi-file projects in minutes without writing a single line of code. Through live demonstrations, they show how this technology is making software development accessible to non-programmers while also exploring the potential impacts, benefits, and risks for higher education institutions.
Introduction to Vibe Coding (00:00:06)
- Definition of vibe coding as a new paradigm in software development
- How developers can create applications through natural language prompts
- Origins in February 2023 with Andrew Karpathy's tweet about this approach
- The paradigm shift from traditional coding to conversation-based development
The Evolution of Vibe Coding Tools (00:04:03)
- The meaning behind the term "vibe" - describing the output and guiding the process
- How vibe coding differs from AI code assistants
- Overview of leading tools including Cursor, Lovable, Replit, and Claude Artifacts
- The rapid growth of companies like Cursor (reaching $300 million in revenue)
How Vibe Coding Works in Practice (00:10:31)
- The workflow: describe what you want, AI generates code, review, refine
- Demonstration of multifile project capabilities
- How developers at Element451 are incorporating these tools
- Building integrations without needing to understand APIs in detail
Live Demonstration of Vibe Coding (00:22:10)
- Showcase of a compound improvement calculator built with Lovable
- Demonstration of an AI agent demo landing page created in minutes
- Creation of a task management app for McDonald's employees with bonus tracking
- How tools handle authentication, camera integration, and user management
The Technical Aspects and Limitations (00:32:17)
- How the tools handle publishing and hosting applications
- Integration with databases through services like Supabase
- The iterative refinement process when errors occur
- New features allowing fine-grained control over components
Implications for Higher Education (00:36:43)
- How non-technical staff at universities could build their own applications
- Potential for rapid prototyping of student-facing tools
- Examples like grade appeal chatbots or orientation sign-up systems
- Opportunities for micro-apps to solve specific campus problems
Risks and Challenges (00:41:14)
- Potential security and privacy concerns with generated code
- Maintenance challenges for vibe-coded applications
- Questions about ownership and governance of applications
- The concept of "disposable software" that's cheaper to rebuild than maintain
Future Outlook and Getting Started (00:47:28)
- The expansion of "vibe" approaches to other domains like marketing
- Recommendations for experimenting with tools like Lovable
- The importance of human review for security
- Encouraging safe experimentation with these accessible tools
- - - -
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!
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.
Attend the 2025 Engage Summit!
The Engage Summit is the premier conference for forward-thinking leaders and practitioners dedicated to exploring the transformative power of AI in education. Explore the strategies and tools to step into the next generation of student engagement, supercharged by AI. You'll leave ready to deliver the most personalized digital engagement experience every step of the way.
Register now to secure your spot in Charlotte, NC, on June 24-25, 2025! Early bird registration ends February 1st -- https://engage.element451.com/register
EO on AI Education, Hollywood's AI Validation, and OpenAI's O3 Visual Reasoning Power
In this episode of Generation AI, hosts JC Bonilla and Ardis Kadiu discuss recent significant AI developments across education, entertainment, and technology. They analyze President Trump's executive order on AI education for K-12 schools, which challenges the "cheating narrative" and aims to promote AI literacy. They also examine the Academy Awards' decision to accept AI-assisted films for consideration. The hosts then dive deep into OpenAI's new O3 model, exploring how its multimodal reasoning capabilities allow it to process text, images, and code in unified ways that mimic human thinking. The episode highlights practical applications for marketing, data analysis, and higher education enrollment strategies.
Introduction and News Updates (00:00:00)
- Welcome to the Generation AI podcast focused on higher education
- Introduction of hosts JC Bonilla and Ardis Kadiu
- Overview of the episode's main topics: executive order on AI education, Oscars' AI acceptance, and OpenAI's O3 model
Executive Order on AI Education (00:03:04)
- President Trump signed an executive order on April 23rd promoting AI education for youth
- The order creates a White House task force to oversee federal funding for AI literacy
- Discussion on how this challenges the current trend of banning AI in 60% of US schools
- Ardis shares personal experience of his children being afraid to use AI for educational purposes
- The order aims to remove the "AI equals bad" mental block in students
Global Competitiveness in AI Education (00:07:24)
- Debate on whether the US K-12 education system is globally competitive
- Discussion of inconsistencies in education quality across districts and states
- Comparison to other countries where students are actively building AI skills
- Need for improved AI literacy to maintain competitive advantage
The Academy Awards' AI Decision (00:08:56)
- The Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences has updated rules for the 98th Oscars
- Films using generative AI tools are now eligible for awards
- The use of AI will neither help nor harm a film's chances of nomination
- Human-driven artistry will remain the priority in judging
- Discussion of the film "The Brutalist" which used AI for accent enhancement
- Significance of this as validation for AI in creative fields
Updates on Frontier AI Models (00:13:42)
- Brief mention of recent model releases from Google and Grok
- Focus on OpenAI's O3 as a "multimodal marvel" for reasoning
- The race of AI development continues with focus on scalable agents
- Discussion of naming conventions for OpenAI models
OpenAI's O3 Model Capabilities (00:16:20)
- O3 represents a departure from conversational chatbots toward visual thinking
- The model excels at coding, math, science, and visual reasoning
- It processes text, images, and code in a unified reasoning framework
- Visual thinking capabilities comparable to human thinking processes
- Discussion of performance improvements and acceleration in model capabilities
- The companion O4 Mini model for lightweight real-time applications
Testing O3 vs Other Models (00:25:28)
- JC and Ardis compare experiences using different OpenAI models
- Comparison between O3 and GPT-4o outputs for the same prompt
- O3's tendency to use tables and structured formats for certain outputs
- Ardis recommends using O3 for coding, PDF analysis, and creative feedback
Practical Applications of O3 (00:30:34)
- Content creation capabilities for ad copy generation
- Campaign visual analysis through multimodal reasoning
- Data analysis improvements for marketing datasets
- Better handling of unstructured tasks in higher education
- Strategic data-driven approaches to enrollment management
- Demo of creating visual ads with iterative refinements in minutes
- Example of financial analysis from complex spreadsheets
ChatGPT Memory Feature Update (00:40:37)
- New feature allowing ChatGPT to use prior conversations as context
- Benefits of the system remembering previous interactions
- How this enables personalization of AI responses
- Impact on workflow efficiency and personalized assistance
Conclusion (00:43:07)
- Final thoughts on AI integration into human activities
- Closing remarks and podcast network information
- - - -
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!
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.
Attend the 2025 Engage Summit!
The Engage Summit is the premier conference for forward-thinking leaders and practitioners dedicated to exploring the transformative power of AI in education. Explore the strategies and tools to step into the next generation of student engagement, supercharged by AI. You'll leave ready to deliver the most personalized digital engagement experience every step of the way.
Register now to secure your spot in Charlotte, NC, on June 24-25, 2025! Early bird registration ends February 1st -- https://engage.element451.com/register
ASU+GSV Summit 2025 Recap - Learning at the Speed of Light
In this eye-opening episode, Generation AI takes you inside the recent ASU+GSV Summit and AI Revolution Show in San Diego, where education and technology leaders gathered to address AI's impact on higher education. JC and Ardis break down how university presidents and tech executives are responding to what ASU leadership called an "AI Tsunami," sharing practical guidance on curriculum changes, institutional adaptation, and keeping humans at the center. The episode also examines the business side, analyzing how AI is driving EdTech consolidation, investment patterns, and market transformation. For anyone in higher education trying to make sense of AI's rapid changes, this episode provides both big-picture thinking and on-the-ground insights from those leading the charge.
The AI Revolution Landscape in Higher Education (00:00:00)
- Overview of ASU+GSV Summit and AI Revolution Show in San Diego
- Thousands of leaders gathered to discuss AI's impact on higher education
- Current challenges: declining public trust, cost pressures, value concerns
- ASU leadership describes the situation as an "AI Tsunami" requiring quick adaptation
Key Voices on Navigating the AI Era (00:02:30)
- C. Edward Watson (AAC&U) stressed that AI means major job change, not just loss
- Watson argues higher education must update curriculum now for AI literacy
- Warns against ineffective bans and detection tools, suggests adapting teaching methods
- Ted Mitchell (ACE) sees current disruption as a chance to build anew
- Mitchell emphasizes student success metrics and institutional data ownership
- Paul LeBlanc (Matter and Space) notes true innovation often comes from "unencumbered places"
- Views AI as both challenge and opportunity to rethink learning models
Strategic Leadership in the AI Transition (00:08:45)
- Lev Gonick (ASU) highlights IT leaders' role in managing the AI transition
- Stresses maintaining human-centered approaches despite rapid changes
- Sal Khan champions AI's potential to transform learning through personalized tools
- Michael Hansen (Cengage) warns that higher education must integrate AI to stay relevant
- Common thread: AI offers major potential but requires ethical frameworks
The Business of AI EdTech (00:15:20)
- Global education market worth over $7 trillion
- No EdTech company has broken the $20 billion mark yet
- M&A market looks strong for 2025 with stabilizing interest rates
- Private equity firms have record capital to invest, making EdTech attractive
- Market consolidation driven by both PE and strategic acquisitions
Investment Trends in Education AI (00:22:15)
- Key distinction between infrastructure AI (big models) and applied AI (workflow tools)
- Applied AI attracting significant funding with clearer paths to profits
- Element451's recent $175M investment cited as an example
- Tools for operations, compliance, and personalized learning gaining value
- Investors backing smaller companies disrupting older solutions
- Challenges include measuring true effectiveness when models change rapidly
Looking Ahead: The Future of AI in Higher Education (00:28:40)
- Successful AI integration requires both vision and market viability
- Tension between rapid adoption and real-world barriers (faculty readiness, data gaps)
- Future focus areas include better data management and governance
- Growing demand for proof of effectiveness beyond initial hype
- Continued investment expected in practical AI applications
- Workforce alignment remains a dominant driver for AI adoption
- Open question: Can AI fulfill its promise to democratize 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!
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.
Attend the 2025 Engage Summit!
The Engage Summit is the premier conference for forward-thinking leaders and practitioners dedicated to exploring the transformative power of AI in education. Explore the strategies and tools to step into the next generation of student engagement, supercharged by AI. You'll leave ready to deliver the most personalized digital engagement experience every step of the way.
Register now to secure your spot in Charlotte, NC, on June 24-25, 2025! Early bird registration ends February 1st -- https://engage.element451.com/register
ASU's AI Strategy, Digital Workforce, and the End of Frankenstein Tech
In this insightful episode of Generation AI, hosts JC Bonilla and Ardis Kadiu speak with Lev Gonick, CIO of Arizona State University, about how AI is reshaping higher education technology systems. Gonick shares ASU's innovative approach to AI implementation, discussing their transition from fragmented "Frankenstein" tech systems to a more integrated architecture using AI agents. He explains how ASU is already deploying orchestrated AI agents across campus operations - from parking to financial aid to classroom instruction - and offers a practical vision for how universities can adapt to this technological shift. This conversation is essential listening for higher education professionals looking to understand how AI can transform student experiences and institutional operations.
The Current State of University Technology Systems (00:00:25)
- Discussion of universities as technology "Frankensteins" with disconnected systems
- Gonick explains ASU's dual approach to AI: both as additional tools and as potential unifiers
- The challenge of balancing pragmatic immediate needs with long-term integration goals
- ASU's outlook on technology focuses on opportunity and abundance rather than scarcity
The Timeline for Technology Transformation in Higher Education (00:02:14)
- Gonick suggests the transition away from fragmented systems could take "a generation or two"
- ASU positions itself as an outlier and model for what a "new American university" can look like
- The importance of proving what's possible by implementing future-focused solutions today
- ASU's commitment to focusing on "the future today" rather than waiting for perfect solutions
ASU's Leadership in AI Implementation (00:03:45)
- Reference to ASU's publication documenting their AI journey with 40+ implementation stories
- Discussion of ASU's mindset that emphasizes growth and innovation
- Gonick quotes Alan Kay: "If you want to predict the future, invent it"
- ASU's philosophy: "If you want to invent the future, start" - emphasizing action over debate
AI's Transformation of Higher Education (00:05:33)
- Gonick argues AI represents a "tectonic shift" that will redefine not just how we teach but what we teach
- Many universities are stuck in an academic debate rather than testing and experimenting
- ASU's approach involves real-world testing while adhering to principles of innovation
- The need for agile, iterative approaches to AI implementation similar to software development
The Evolution from Generative AI to AI Agents (00:08:57)
- Reflection on the past year's progress from classroom-focused generative AI to agent-based systems
- Gonick suggests current generative AI implementations will eventually be seen as "prehistory"
- Discussion of how voice and video AI experiences may create economic value in education
- The emergence of "agentic" AI systems where multiple specialized agents work together
ASU's Current Work with AI Agents (00:11:35)
- ASU has developed approximately a dozen purpose-built AI agents for different functions
- These agents are now being orchestrated to work together rather than operating independently
- Examples include agents for syllabus creation, assessment, skills development, and career opportunities
- Discussion of the need for "Centurion" agents to ensure privacy, security and ethical use
AI Applications in Campus Operations (00:14:52)
- ASU is implementing agentic AI experiences in back-office operations like parking management
- Plans for teaching and learning agent implementations starting in August for the new school year
- Development of pedagogy agents that support different teaching methods (Socratic, case method, etc.)
- Financial aid navigation as another major area where AI agents are improving student and family experiences
The Digital Workforce and Organizational Change (00:20:49)
- Discussion of AI agents functioning as a "digital workforce" that requires management
- The need to rearchitect how work is done in university settings
- Human resistance to change as a major challenge in AI implementation
- ASU's approach to helping employees transition to new roles through upskilling and reskilling programs
The Near Future of AI in Higher Education (00:24:47)
- Discussion of the impact of politics and regulations on AI implementation
- ASU's view of challenges as opportunities and their focus on adaptability
- The concept of building "anti-fragile" institutions that not only survive disruption but thrive
- The importance of planning with a longer horizon while remaining agile
- - - -
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!
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.
Attend the 2025 Engage Summit!
The Engage Summit is the premier conference for forward-thinking leaders and practitioners dedicated to exploring the transformative power of AI in education. Explore the strategies and tools to step into the next generation of student engagement, supercharged by AI. You'll leave ready to deliver the most personalized digital engagement experience every step of the way.
Register now to secure your spot in Charlotte, NC, on June 24-25, 2025! Early bird registration ends February 1st -- https://engage.element451.com/register
ChatGPT image magic changes design forever, Gemini 2.5 raises the bar, MCP connects everything, Claude for Education brings AI to classrooms
In this information-packed episode of Generation AI, hosts JC Bonilla and Ardis Kadiu explore the revolutionary new ChatGPT image generation capabilities that have taken the internet by storm. They break down how this new native image generation differs from previous models, allowing users to create, modify and refine images through conversation. The hosts also cover significant recent AI developments including Google's Gemini 2.5 Pro, Anthropic's Model Context Protocol standard, and new educational initiatives from OpenAI and Claude. This episode gives higher education professionals critical insights into how these visual AI tools will transform marketing, teaching, and creative processes across campus.
Recent AI Updates and Developments (00:00:06)
- Introduction to the episode and upcoming Element451 presence at ASU GSV conference
- Brief mention of new AI releases coming from Element451
- Overview of recent major AI developments that will be discussed
Major Model Drops and Advances (00:03:13)
- Google's release of Gemini 2.5 Pro, a powerful reasoning and thinking model
- Discussion of its 1,000,000 token context window and coding capabilities
- Anthropic's Model Context Protocol (MCP) as a new standard for AI model connections
- Comparison to standardization moments like VHS/Betamax or USB connectivity
- How MCP simplifies integration with external tools and APIs
Open Source Models and Coding Advancements (00:09:11)
- DeepSeek v3 launch continuing the open source momentum
- Discussion of "vibe coding" and voice-based natural language programming
- The progression of open weights models (not fully open source)
- Google's Gemma 3, OpenAI's announced open weights model, and upcoming Llama 4
- How these models enable natural language "vibe coding" through better reasoning
AI Education Initiatives (00:13:53)
- OpenAI Academy launch for teaching AI skills and prompting techniques
- Claude for Education using Socratic methods to teach students how to learn
- Focus on pedagogy and learning rather than just providing answers
- Importance of AI literacy as models improve
ChatGPT Image Generation Revolution (00:18:06)
- Technical explanation of the new native image generation in GPT-4o
- How it differs from previous DALL-E integration by generating images pixel by pixel
- The ability to remember context and make incremental changes to images
- Comparison to the creative sketch-to-masterpiece process in art
Image Generation Examples and Capabilities (00:27:05)
- Transforming images into anime, Studio Ghibli style, or other artistic styles
- Image restoration, sharpening, and enhancement capabilities
- Converting rough sketches into polished marketing materials
- Creating consistent multi-panel comics or narratives
- Fashion coordination and outfit planning from wardrobe items
- Interior design applications by incorporating furniture pieces in rooms
- Creating travel journals and personalized visual memory books
Practical Applications in Education and Marketing (00:34:23)
- Educational uses for teachers creating customized visual aids
- Explaining complex concepts through dynamic illustrations for different learning styles
- Marketing prototyping and rapid campaign creation
- Storyboarding for entertainment and media production
- Product design acceleration and prototyping
Transformative Impact Across Industries (00:37:51)
- Filters becoming experiences with style transformations
- Easier creation of memes and visual communication
- Books and visual storytelling including children's books
- Improved slide presentations with conceptual images
- Personalizing stock photography with school colors and logos
- Remixing movie scenes in different styles
- Creating personalized advertisements at scale
- Enabling creatives to produce work faster and tell stories through visuals
Learning at Scale Through Visual AI (00:41:46)
- How educators can use these tools to reach diverse learners
- Making complex concepts accessible through visual adaptation
- Removing creative bottlenecks in education
- Final thoughts on the transformative potential of new vision models
- - - -
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!
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.
Attend the 2025 Engage Summit!
The Engage Summit is the premier conference for forward-thinking leaders and practitioners dedicated to exploring the transformative power of AI in education. Explore the strategies and tools to step into the next generation of student engagement, supercharged by AI. You'll leave ready to deliver the most personalized digital engagement experience every step of the way.
Register now to secure your spot in Charlotte, NC, on June 24-25, 2025! Early bird registration ends February 1st -- https://engage.element451.com/register
AI & Admissions: Making Fast, Fair Decisions in Higher Ed
In this episode of Generation AI, hosts Dr. JC Bonilla and Ardis Kadiu examine how AI can support—not replace—human decision-makers in college admissions. They discuss the growing challenge of application volume (with schools like NYU receiving 120,000 applications) against limited staff resources, creating bottlenecks where reviewers must evaluate hundreds of applications in tight timeframes. The hosts explain how AI tools can bring consistency to evaluation, remove human bias, and dramatically speed up document processing while maintaining quality. They outline specific AI applications in admissions including document verification, essay evaluation, and transcript analysis, emphasizing that the goal is to enhance human judgment rather than replace it.
The Admissions Crunch: Record Application Numbers (00:00:57)
- NYU received 120,000 applications this year, the most for any private university
- University of Texas at Austin saw a 24% increase in applications
- University of Washington experienced 57% growth over five years
- Harvard received 60,000 applications for just 2,000 spots
The Human Workload Problem (00:02:46)
- Average public university has 60 new students per staff member
- Application-to-staff ratio can reach 600-650 for selective schools
- Each application takes 15-30 minutes to review
- Staff often have multiple responsibilities beyond application review
The Student Experience Impact (00:06:08)
- Long waiting times affect student decision-making
- Speed to response is critical for enrollment strategy
- Reducing review time from 45 days to 24 hours can increase enrollment
- Early decisions are a competitive advantage for institutions
How College Admissions Work (00:08:12)
- Holistic admissions evaluate academic achievement, personal statements, extracurriculars
- Rolling admissions focus on meeting basic criteria with rapid turnaround
- Both processes involve significant manual review
- Consistency and speed are major challenges
AI Advantages in the Admissions Process (00:11:24)
- Consistency and fairness through uniform evaluation standards
- AI applies the same criteria consistently across all applications
- Removes human bias that can affect evaluation outcomes
- Maintains evaluation standards even with reviewer fatigue
AI Technology in Document Processing (00:14:54)
- Optical Character Recognition (OCR) digitizes documents efficiently
- Natural Language Processing (NLP) analyzes qualitative aspects of applications
- Multimodal models like Gemini 2.0 extract data from documents accurately
- Reasoning models can evaluate applications based on specific criteria
Current State of AI in Admissions (00:17:53)
- OCR technology for transcript scanning exists but is limited
- Some schools use data extraction when loading information into CRMs
- Few comprehensive solutions integrate all aspects of AI evaluation
- Technology is just becoming available for full-scale implementation
Technical Applications of AI in Admissions (00:19:17)
- Document verification automates checking for completeness and accuracy
- Essay evaluation can extract themes about student readiness
- Course equivalency mapping connects courses across institutions
- Transcript evaluation helps with transfer credits and placement
Admissions as a Rubric (00:25:37)
- Admissions decisions are based on measurable criteria
- Criteria can be objective (in-state status) or subjective (leadership qualities)
- Digital application review transforms criteria into software evaluations
- AI can work effectively with rubric-based evaluation systems
Element451's AI-Powered Admissions Approach (00:29:08)
- AI agent ingests institutional rubrics and evaluation criteria
- System analyzes all submitted documents through data extraction
- Provides scores and reasoning for each evaluation criterion
- Places AI recommendation alongside human evaluation
The Future: Your First Read is Your Second Read (00:31:08)
- AI provides efficient, fair, consistent and scalable admissions process
- Goal is to enhance human judgment, not replace it
- Removes human bias while maintaining quality evaluation
- Frees staff time for personal interaction with prospective students
- - - -
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!
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.
Attend the 2025 Engage Summit!
The Engage Summit is the premier conference for forward-thinking leaders and practitioners dedicated to exploring the transformative power of AI in education. Explore the strategies and tools to step into the next generation of student engagement, supercharged by AI. You'll leave ready to deliver the most personalized digital engagement experience every step of the way.
Register now to secure your spot in Charlotte, NC, on June 24-25, 2025! Early bird registration ends February 1st -- https://engage.element451.com/register
The State of Personal AI Agents: Manus, Deep Research, Perplexity, Grok, Lovable, Cursor, Lindy.ai, and the Future of Autonomous Workflows
In this episode of Generation AI, hosts JC Bonia and Ardis Kadiu explore the rapidly evolving landscape of personal AI agents. They analyze four types of agents - general task agents, researcher agents, workflow agents, and code generation agents - before diving into the recent sensation around Manus AI. The hosts discuss how AI agents are shifting from simple task execution to complex autonomous workflows, potentially transforming how work gets done across industries. The conversation highlights a critical turning point where AI can now operate with minimal human supervision, challenging previous assumptions about the "human in the loop" paradigm.
Introduction to AI Agents and Recent Developments (00:00:00)
- JC and Ardis introduce the episode's focus on AI agents
- Brief mention of Manus AI creating waves in the tech world
- Setting the stage for understanding personal AI agents in 2025
- Discussion of how these agents will shape workflows and productivity
The Evolution of AI Agents (00:01:48)
- The shift from frontier models to foundational agent AI
- How 2023 saw the emergence of autonomous personal agents
- Requirements for agents: reasoning, adaptation, and action capabilities
- Time compression in AI development with DeepSeek and Grok 3
Categories of Personal AI Agents (00:05:52)
- Four main types of agents identified by the hosts
- General task agents for personal productivity and scheduling
- Researcher agents for deep knowledge gathering and synthesis
- Workflow agents for orchestrating multi-step processes
- Code generation agents for software development
Deep Research Agents in Action (00:09:41)
- Ardis shares how research agents have changed his workflow
- Examples of using AI for market research and data gathering
- Tools like Perplexity offering free research capabilities
- Claude and Gemini providing deep research features
- The value of referenced, data-backed insights for decision making
Workflow Agents: Connecting the Pieces (00:15:10)
- Explanation of how workflow agents orchestrate multiple processes
- Zapier and Make.com for workflow automation
- Relevance for personalization
- Lindy.ai for Gmail integration and automation
- The ability to mix and match between different LLMs for optimal results
Code Generation Agents (00:18:00)
- The acceleration of AI code writing capabilities
- Reference to Anthropic CEO's claim about AI writing 90% of code soon
- Cursor and Anthropic Code Agent tools
- Lovable - no-code solution for building applications
- Bolt as another code generation platform
- Introduction to "vibe coding" - collaborating with AI on code without technical expertise
Manus AI: A Game-Changing Personal Agent (00:24:45)
- Overview of what makes Manus different from previous agents
- The massive waitlist and $10,000 access codes showing huge demand
- How Manus provides autonomous task execution with minimal human input
- The open-source alternative "Anus" created using Manus itself
- The ability to work continuously in the background and notify when complete
The Future of Work with Autonomous Agents (00:32:16)
- Implications for knowledge work and job roles
- The shift from "human in the loop" to "human as supervisor" models
- Ardis acknowledging the difficulty in claiming AI won't replace certain roles
- Discussion about which jobs might remain relevant in the AI future
- How autonomous agents are changing organizational design
Closing Thoughts on the AI Landscape (00:39:34)
- Reflection on how major AI releases create excitement and commercialization races
- Anticipation of more autonomous agent solutions following Manus
- The rapid pace of change in the AI space
- How these tools will continue to democratize access to advanced capabilities
- Expectations for what might emerge in the coming months
- - - -
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!
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.
Attend the 2025 Engage Summit!
The Engage Summit is the premier conference for forward-thinking leaders and practitioners dedicated to exploring the transformative power of AI in education. Explore the strategies and tools to step into the next generation of student engagement, supercharged by AI. You'll leave ready to deliver the most personalized digital engagement experience every step of the way.
Register now to secure your spot in Charlotte, NC, on June 24-25, 2025! Early bird registration ends February 1st -- https://engage.element451.com/register
Goodbye Chatbots, Hello Voice AI Agents
In this exciting episode of Generation AI, hosts Ardis Kadiu and Dr. JC Bonia examine the rapid evolution of voice AI agents and their impact on higher education. They spotlight Sesame, a new open-source voice model that crosses the "uncanny valley" with its remarkably human-like speech capabilities. The hosts demonstrate these advanced voice technologies live and discuss how they're already transforming student support services, enrollment management, and call centers. As voice becomes the primary interface for AI interaction, colleges must adapt to meet student expectations for 24/7 instant support while maintaining an authentic, empathetic experience.
The Voice AI Revolution Arrives (00:00:00)
- Introduction to the rapidly evolving voice AI landscape in spring 2025
- Shift from text-based prompting to voice as the primary AI interface
- Voice modes now standard in major AI platforms (ChatGPT, Gemini, Perplexity)
- Growing prevalence of AI voice agents in customer service contexts
Introducing Sesame: Breaking the Internet (00:02:00)
- Overview of Sesame, an ultra-realistic, open-source AI voice model
- How Sesame differentiates from previous voice technologies
- The significance of its open-source MIT license for wider adoption
- Crossing the "uncanny valley" with human-indistinguishable speech
Live Demonstration with Maya (00:09:00)
- Interactive conversation with the Sesame voice model "Maya"
- Demonstrations of emotional range, empathy, and conversational realism
- Role-play examples showing versatility for higher education scenarios
- Showcasing natural pauses, breathing patterns, and emotional intelligence
Technical Approaches to Voice AI (00:14:00)
- Comparison of different voice technology architectures
- Traditional pipeline: Speech-to-Text → LLM processing → Text-to-Speech
- Native voice models: direct voice-to-voice processing
- How end-to-end approaches improve latency, accuracy, and emotional context
- Parallels to human language processing and bilingual thinking
Voice AI Providers and Implementation (00:18:00)
- Overview of key players in the voice AI market (11Labs, OpenAI, Meta)
- Recent announcements including Llama 4's voice capabilities
- Building voice agent systems that minimize latency
- Multi-channel implementation strategies beyond traditional phone calls
Higher Education Use Cases (00:25:00)
- Enrollment support with multilingual family communication
- 24/7 student services that match student productivity patterns
- Integration across multiple communication channels
- Voice as a natural query interface on campus
- Enhancing accessibility while maintaining personalization
Transforming Call Centers (00:30:00)
- How voice AI is replacing traditional IVR phone trees
- Benefits of AI-powered routing without human limitations
- Cost-saving potential with AI handling 30-50% of calls
- Eliminating wait times during peak periods like financial aid season
- Parallel processing capabilities versus sequential human staffing
Balancing Technology and Responsibility (00:38:00)
- Ethical considerations for voice AI implementation
- Importance of accurate information delivery
- How human staff can focus on more complex, high-value interactions
- Real-world implementations at Johnson Community College and other institutions
- Looking ahead to continued voice technology improvements
- - - -
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!
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.
Attend the 2025 Engage Summit!
The Engage Summit is the premier conference for forward-thinking leaders and practitioners dedicated to exploring the transformative power of AI in education. Explore the strategies and tools to step into the next generation of student engagement, supercharged by AI. You'll leave ready to deliver the most personalized digital engagement experience every step of the way.
Register now to secure your spot in Charlotte, NC, on June 24-25, 2025! Early bird registration ends February 1st -- https://engage.element451.com/register
AI Trust, Eval Frameworks, and Why Data Quality Matters
In this episode of Generation AI, hosts JC and Ardis tackle one of the most pressing concerns in higher education today: how to trust AI outputs. They explore the psychology of trust in technology, the evaluation frameworks used to measure AI accuracy, and how Retrieval Augmented Generation (RAG) helps ground AI responses in factual data. The conversation offers practical insights for higher education professionals who want to implement AI solutions but worry about accuracy and reliability. Listeners will learn how to evaluate AI systems, what questions to ask vendors, and why having public-facing content is crucial for effective AI implementation.
Introduction: The Trust Challenge in AI (00:00:06)
- JC Bonilla and Ardis Kadiu introduce the topic of trusting AI outputs
- Contrasting traditional predictive modeling metrics with new AI evaluation methods
- Understanding that trust is both earned and lost through interactions
The Psychology of Trust in AI (00:03:35)
- How human psychology frameworks for trust transfer to technology
- Challenge appraisal (seeing AI as enhancement) versus threat appraisal (seeing AI as risky)
- Example: How autonomous driving shows trust being built or lost through micro-decisions
- The importance of making AI systems more predictable to humans
Evaluating AI Outputs: The Evals Framework (00:11:41)
- Moving from traditional machine learning metrics to new evaluation methods
- How OpenAI Evals works as a standard for measuring AI performance
- Creating test sets with thousands of variations to check AI outputs
- The concept of "AI checking on AI" for more thorough evaluation
- Element451's achievement of 94-95% accuracy rates on their evaluations
Retrieval Augmented Generation (RAG) Explained (00:27:23)
- RAG as an "open book exam" approach for AI systems
- How data is processed, categorized, and made searchable
- The importance of re-ranking information to find the most relevant content
- How multiple documents can be combined to create accurate answers
Addressing Common AI Trust Concerns (00:33:31)
- Reducing hallucinations through proper grounding in source material
- Why "garbage in, garbage out" fears are often overblown
- Using public-facing content as reliable data sources
- The value of traceable sources in building confidence in AI responses
Conclusion: Building Earned Trust (00:38:11)
- Trust in AI comes from reliability and transparency
- The importance of asking the right questions when selecting AI partners
- How to distinguish between companies just talking about AI versus implementing best practices
- - - -
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!
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.
Attend the 2025 Engage Summit!
The Engage Summit is the premier conference for forward-thinking leaders and practitioners dedicated to exploring the transformative power of AI in education. Explore the strategies and tools to step into the next generation of student engagement, supercharged by AI. You'll leave ready to deliver the most personalized digital engagement experience every step of the way.
Register now to secure your spot in Charlotte, NC, on June 24-25, 2025! Early bird registration ends February 1st -- https://engage.element451.com/register
FERPA & AI: What Higher Ed Needs to Know
In this episode of Generation AI, Ardis Kadiu and Dr. JC Bonilla unpack FERPA—the Family Educational Rights and Privacy Act—and its critical role in protecting student data within AI-driven educational tools. They clarify common misunderstandings around FERPA compliance, specifically addressing the handling of AI-powered student engagement platforms, chatbots, and data security practices. Learn how institutions can effectively utilize AI while safeguarding student privacy and maintaining compliance.
Understanding FERPA Basics (00:00:07)
- Introduction of the topic based on questions from the AI Engagement Summit
- FERPA stands for Family Educational Rights and Privacy Act
- Federal law enacted in 1974 that protects privacy of student educational records
- Applies to institutions receiving US Department of Education funding
- Grants students (or parents of minors) rights regarding their educational records
What Constitutes Educational Records Under FERPA (00:07:33)
- Academic records including grades, transcripts, and course enrollment
- Personally identifiable information (PII) such as names, student IDs, birthdates
- Disciplinary records and counseling information
- Financial aid and billing information
- Student communications with advisers, faculty, and staff
- Institutions must maintain control and prevent unauthorized disclosure
FERPA Compliance for Engagement Tools (00:08:52)
- Student data must remain protected from unauthorized access
- Information cannot be used for unintended purposes outside institutional contracts
- Data must remain under the institution's control at all times
- The "school official exception" allows third-party vendors to access data
- Vendors must perform services the school would otherwise use its own staff for
- Schools must maintain direct control over records use and maintenance
Vendor Contracts and FERPA Compliance (00:13:01)
- Contracts must clearly state vendors act as school officials bound by FERPA
- Vendors cannot use student records outside the scope of their contracts
- Institutions must retain full control over how student data is accessed
- Importance of granular access controls and role-based permissions
- Vendors should not use student data to train AI models without specific permission
- Data minimization principles should be followed in all AI processes
Data Security Requirements (00:15:51)
- Encryption requirements for data in transit and at rest
- Importance of multifactor authentication
- Access logging to track who interacts with data
- Data deletion and retention policies must be clearly defined
- Vendors should have clear procedures for data deletion after contract ends
Audits and Compliance Monitoring (00:16:40)
- Vendors should comply with security and privacy standards
- Regular security audits and compliance reviews by third parties
- The importance of SOC 2 Type 2 certification as the gold standard
- Institutions' rights to conduct independent security audits
AI-Specific FERPA Concerns (00:18:50)
- Chatbots and AI assistants must follow proper verification protocols
- AI-powered tools must adhere to role-based access permissions
- Risks of using public AI tools like ChatGPT with student data
- Directory vs. non-directory information distinctions
- The dangers of uploading student data to non-FERPA compliant AI tools
AI Training and Data Use Risks (00:24:00)
- Many AI models store and use interactions for training
- Risks of unauthorized retention of student records
- Importance of checking data retention policies in AI tools
- Free versions of AI tools typically don't offer data protection options
- Paid versions may have data retention turned on by default
Element451's FERPA Compliance Approach (00:26:28)
- SOC 2 Type 2 compliance with third-party verification
- Data encryption in transit and at rest with additional field-level encryption
- Multifactor authentication enforcement
- Identity verification in AI chatbots before sharing any personal information
- No training on user data and anonymization of activity data
- Institution control over data deletion and visibility of all records
- AI inherits institutional security policies and access controls
Closing Thoughts (00:29:39)
- The importance of understanding FERPA in the AI context
- Building trust through proper compliance
- Addressing misinformation around FERPA and AI
- Invitation for listeners to suggest future topics
- - - -
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!
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.
Attend the 2025 Engage Summit!
The Engage Summit is the premier conference for forward-thinking leaders and practitioners dedicated to exploring the transformative power of AI in education. Explore the strategies and tools to step into the next generation of student engagement, supercharged by AI. You'll leave ready to deliver the most personalized digital engagement experience every step of the way.
Register now to secure your spot in Charlotte, NC, on June 24-25, 2025! Early bird registration ends February 1st -- https://engage.element451.com/register
AI Agents are Here: What this Means for Higher Education (Engage AI Summit Keynote)
Episode Summary:
In this special keynote episode, hosts Ardis Kadiu and JC Bonilla discuss how Agentic AI is transforming higher education by evolving AI from simple tools to proactive teammates. They explore the journey from generative AI to sophisticated multi-agent systems, emphasizing how these technologies can significantly enhance student engagement, recruitment, and research productivity. With practical strategies and insights, this episode is essential for higher education professionals eager to implement AI for strategic growth and operational efficiency.
Show Notes:
Introducing Agentic AI in Higher Education (00:00:00)
- The shift from traditional AI tools to proactive teammates
- Why institutions must adopt agentic AI to meet rising student expectations
- Competitive advantages for early adopters in higher education
The Evolution of AI: From Perception to Agentic Systems (00:04:00)
- The development from perception AI to generative AI, and now agentic AI
- Agentic AI's capability to reason, adapt, and act autonomously
- Practical differences between traditional chatbots and agentic systems
Real-World Applications of Agentic AI (00:19:00)
- Examples of Google's Gemini and ChatGPT's deep research functionalities
- AI co-scientists accelerating research timelines from years to minutes
- Agentic AI’s role in automating complex student recruitment campaigns
Multi-Agent Collaboration and the "TACO" Framework (00:42:00)
- Explanation of AI agent roles: Taskers, Assistants, Collaborators, and Orchestrators
- How multi-agent systems scale operations in education
- The benefits of vertical AI solutions versus horizontal tools
Building and Managing Your AI Workforce (00:53:00)
- AI agents as junior virtual coworkers and the implications for staffing
- Evaluating success with AI: Performance, financial outcomes, and organizational impacts
- Preparing institutions culturally and technically for AI implementation
Future of Work and AI Skills Development (01:00:00)
- The rise of AI specialists and the importance of AI readiness
- Human roles evolving from direct tasks to orchestration and management
- How institutions can successfully onboard and manage AI teammates
- - - -
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!
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.
Attend the 2025 Engage Summit!
The Engage Summit is the premier conference for forward-thinking leaders and practitioners dedicated to exploring the transformative power of AI in education. Explore the strategies and tools to step into the next generation of student engagement, supercharged by AI. You'll leave ready to deliver the most personalized digital engagement experience every step of the way.
Register now to secure your spot in Charlotte, NC, on June 24-25, 2025! Early bird registration ends February 1st -- https://engage.element451.com/register
Grok-3, Reasoning Models, and the Path to AI Agents
In this episode of Generation AI, hosts Ardis Kadiu and JC Bonilla examine the groundbreaking impact of XAI's new Grok-3 model. Released just 60 days after Grok-2, this AI system is making waves by outperforming competitors in multiple categories, from coding to creative writing. The hosts explain why Grok-3's reasoning capabilities mark a significant shift in AI development, moving beyond simple chatbots toward truly autonomous agents. They explore how XAI achieved this rapid advancement in just 15 months and discuss what it means for consumers, businesses, and higher education as AI models become more powerful, more accessible, and more integrated into everyday tools.
Catching Up and Conference Highlights (00:00:06)
- Hosts Ardis Kadiu and JC Bonilla catch up on recent activities
- JC shares his experience using AI as a running coach
- Ardis discusses his presentation at the Achieving the Dream conference
- Discussion of an emotional AI interaction that resonated with the audience
Introduction to Grok-3 (00:05:00)
- Overview of Grok-3, the new AI model from XAI (Elon Musk's AI company)
- Explanation of XAI as a competitor to OpenAI, Anthropic, and Google
- Discussion of how Grok-3 is "breaking the internet" with its capabilities
- Outline of the episode's focus on reasoning-based AI and its implications
The Rapid Acceleration of AI Development (00:07:16)
- Analysis of XAI's remarkable timeline: from startup to frontier model in 15 months
- Comparison to OpenAI's 8-year development timeline
- Details on Grok-3's training: 100,000+ NVIDIA H100 GPUs and 200 million GPU hours
- Discussion of how this speed of progress is reshaping the AI landscape
Evaluating Grok-3's Performance (00:12:39)
- Explanation of how Chatbot Arena provides real human evaluation of AI models
- Grok-3 achieved the highest score ever in Chatbot Arena (1403)
- Breakdown of categories where Grok-3 ranks #1: hard prompts, coding, math, creative writing
- Ardis shares his personal experience using Grok-3
What Makes Grok-3 Different (00:18:09)
- Explanation of "Big Brain Mode" and advanced reasoning capabilities
- Discussion of real-time knowledge and Twitter/X integration
- Comparison with other models like GPT-4 and Gemini
- Analysis of how its reasoning allows for self-correction and reduced hallucinations
Strategic Advantages of Grok-3 (00:23:37)
- Integration into Tesla vehicles and the X platform
- How built-in access creates a direct user funnel
- Discussion of the multimodal capabilities, including the new voice mode
- Analysis of how these integrations give XAI unique advantages in the market
The Path to Autonomous AI Agents (00:27:38)
- Why chatbots are just a stepping stone to autonomous AI agents
- Explanation of how reasoning models break down problems into sub-steps
- Discussion of how this leads to more human-like thinking and problem-solving
- The "reason, adopt, and action" loop in advanced AI systems
Real-World Applications of Reasoning AI (00:30:15)
- Educational applications: complex problem solving and personalized learning
- Research benefits: literature review, data analysis, and hypothesis generation
- Discussion of real-time information access through X/Twitter integration
- How these models can save users hundreds of hours of work
The Competitive AI Landscape (00:33:29)
- Price comparison between OpenAI's ChatGPT Pro ($200/month) and Grok ($20/month)
- Mention of Perplexity's free deep search capabilities
- Discussion of how competition is improving AI experiences for users
- Predictions about accelerated timelines for GPT-5, Grok-4, and Gemini 3
Implications for Higher Education and Consumers (00:38:10)
- How better reasoning models will lead to improved AI products
- Discussion of vertical-specific workflows being developed
- Reduction in hallucinations making AI more reliable for critical tasks
- Promotion of Element451's AI Engaged Summit (February 25-26)
Closing Thoughts (00:39:46)
- JC reflects on the need to try new AI tools rather than sticking with favorites
- Discussion of how rapid innovation affects consumer loyalty in AI
- Encouragement for listeners to provide feedback and engage with the podcast
- Information about the Enrollify podcast network
- - - -
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!
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.
Attend the 2025 Engage Summit!
The Engage Summit is the premier conference for forward-thinking leaders and practitioners dedicated to exploring the transformative power of AI in education. Explore the strategies and tools to step into the next generation of student engagement, supercharged by AI. You'll leave ready to deliver the most personalized digital engagement experience every step of the way.
Register now to secure your spot in Charlotte, NC, on June 24-25, 2025! Early bird registration ends February 1st -- https://engage.element451.com/register
AGI Timeline: OpenAI's Bold Claims Meet Anthropic's Economic Index
In this compelling episode, hosts JC Bonilla and Ardis Kadiu examine the stark contrast between Sam Altman's optimistic AGI predictions and Anthropic's real-world AI usage data. While Altman forecasts a future where AGI brings super-exponential economic growth and widespread benefits, Anthropic's study reveals current AI adoption is concentrated in specific sectors and wage brackets. The hosts break down why this gap exists and what it means for AI's future timeline. This episode offers essential insights for anyone trying to reconcile bold AGI predictions with today's practical AI implementation challenges.
Introduction and Context Setting (00:00:07)
- Welcome and introduction of hosts
- Mention of previous successful series on Agentic AI
- Overview of episode focus on Sam Altman's blog and Anthropic's economic index
Sam Altman's Three Key Claims (00:05:18)
- AI intelligence scales with investment and resources
- Cost of AI falls approximately 10x every 12 months
- Socioeconomic value increases super-exponentially
- Discussion of implications for AI development speed
Anthropic's Data-Driven Findings (00:08:46)
- 36% of occupations use AI for at least 25% of their tasks
- Highest adoption in software development and analytics
- Peak usage in mid to high-wage jobs
- Analysis of actual AI implementation patterns
Automation vs. Augmentation Debate (00:21:46)
- 57% of AI use cases are augmentative
- 43% focus on automation
- Discussion of why augmentation currently dominates
- Analysis of technical limitations and error rates
Economic Impact and Adoption Patterns (00:31:13)
- Analysis of AI benefit distribution across wage levels
- Discussion of adoption barriers in different sectors
- Comparison to historical technology adoption patterns
- Impact on economic mobility and job displacement
Future Outlook and Infrastructure Needs (00:37:02)
- Discussion of AI democratization efforts
- Analysis of required infrastructure investments
- Importance of AI fluency across disciplines
- Role of government and public infrastructure in AI access
Closing Thoughts and Recommendations (00:42:26)
- Emphasis on importance of AI training and reskilling
- Discussion of AI as essential infrastructure
- Call to action for early adoption and implementation
- Summary of key takeaways for higher education professionals
- - - -
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!
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.
Attend the 2025 Engage Summit!
The Engage Summit is the premier conference for forward-thinking leaders and practitioners dedicated to exploring the transformative power of AI in education. Explore the strategies and tools to step into the next generation of student engagement, supercharged by AI. You'll leave ready to deliver the most personalized digital engagement experience every step of the way.
Register now to secure your spot in Charlotte, NC, on June 24-25, 2025! Early bird registration ends February 1st -- https://engage.element451.com/register
AI's Sputnik moment + Deepseek, CSU partners with OpenAI, ChatGP Operator + Deep Research
In this packed episode of Generation AI, hosts Ardis Kadiu and Dr. JC Bonilla break down three major developments shaking up AI in higher education. They analyze California State University's groundbreaking partnership with OpenAI to provide ChatGPT Enterprise to over 500,000 students across 23 campuses. The hosts also dig into DeepSeek's stunning $6 million AI model that's disrupting the market and sparking what some call AI's "Sputnik moment." Finally, they explore OpenAI's latest innovations including Operator and Deep Search, showing how these AI agents are transforming research and automation. This episode offers essential insights for higher education professionals trying to understand how these rapid AI developments will impact their institutions.
CSU's Game-Changing OpenAI Partnership (00:01:36)
- Partnership brings ChatGPT Enterprise to 500,000+ students across 23 campuses
- Creation of AI Common Hub for centralized tools and training
- Focus on faculty empowerment and workforce development through AI
- Implementation challenges across a large, distributed system
The Past Three Weeks in AI (00:13:23)
- Discussion of recent developments in AI technology
- Analysis of rapid acceleration in AI capabilities
- Impact on higher education and institutional adoption
DeepSeek: AI's Sputnik Moment (00:13:55)
- Introduction of DeepSeek's new AI model and its capabilities
- Analysis of the $6 million training cost breakthrough
- Discussion of geopolitical implications and US-China AI competition
- Explanation of open source model vs. hosted service distinctions
OpenAI's New Agent Technologies (00:25:11)
- Introduction of OpenAI's scheduled tasks feature
- Analysis of Operator: AI-powered browser automation
- Discussion of security and trust considerations
- Real-world applications in higher education
Deep Search: The Research Revolution (00:34:52)
- Detailed breakdown of OpenAI's Deep Search capabilities
- Comparison with Google's Gemini Deep Research
- Real-world example of ICP research automation
- Cost-benefit analysis of AI research tools
- Impact on academic and professional research
Looking Ahead: AI in Higher Education (00:41:11)
- Discussion of future implications for institutions
- Integration challenges and opportunities
- Importance of AI literacy and training
- Upcoming AI Engaged Summit announcement
- - - -
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!
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.
Attend the 2025 Engage Summit!
The Engage Summit is the premier conference for forward-thinking leaders and practitioners dedicated to exploring the transformative power of AI in education. Explore the strategies and tools to step into the next generation of student engagement, supercharged by AI. You'll leave ready to deliver the most personalized digital engagement experience every step of the way.
Register now to secure your spot in Charlotte, NC, on June 24-25, 2025! Early bird registration ends February 1st -- https://engage.element451.com/register
Moving from Assistants to an AI Workforce
In this final episode of a three-part series, hosts JC Bonilla and Ardis Kadiu explore how AI is transforming the workplace in higher education. They discuss the emergence of AI as digital workers, examining how these systems are evolving from simple task automation to becoming integral team members. The hosts share insights on managing AI workers, the changing role of human employees, and what this means for the future of work in education. This episode offers valuable perspective for education professionals looking to understand and prepare for a workplace where humans and AI collaborate as teammates.
Series Recap and Context
- Introduction to the third episode on AI workforce evolution
- Overview of previous episodes on agentic systems and multi-agent frameworks
- Introduction of the TACO framework: Taskers, Assistants, Collaborators, Orchestrators
Understanding AI Workers
- Definition of AI workers as digital teammates
- Comparison between human employees and AI workers
- Discussion of how AI workers integrate into organizational structures
- Analysis of bottom-up approach to AI implementation
AI Worker Management
- Treating AI systems as employees with goals and performance metrics
- Importance of onboarding and training AI workers
- Need for continuous evaluation and maintenance
- Discussion of autonomous versus assisted AI work
Real-World Applications
- Example of AI admissions counselor implementation
- Analysis of how AI can handle application evaluations
- Discussion of automation in admission processes
- Comparison with traditional human evaluation methods
Management Hierarchy and AI
- Exploration of AI in management roles
- Discussion of complexity in decision-making
- Analysis of current limitations in AI management capabilities
- Future possibilities for AI in leadership positions
Human Role in AI Workplace
- Shift from task execution to strategic thinking
- World Economic Forum's Future of Jobs report insights
- Discussion of skills needed in AI-enhanced workplace
- Focus on human skills like emotional intelligence and creativity
Challenges and Considerations
- Governance and oversight requirements
- 24/7 productivity expectations and limitations
- Trust and accountability frameworks
- Need for continuous learning and adaptation
Future Outlook and Implementation
- IT as the new HR in managing AI workers
- Importance of reskilling existing workforce
- Discussion of hybrid human-AI collaboration
- Vision for future workplace dynamics
Closing Thoughts
- Summary of key takeaways
- Importance of embracing AI collaboration
- Call for audience engagement and feedback
- Looking ahead to future developments
- - - -
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!
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.
Attend the 2025 Engage Summit!
The Engage Summit is the premier conference for forward-thinking leaders and practitioners dedicated to exploring the transformative power of AI in education. Explore the strategies and tools to step into the next generation of student engagement, supercharged by AI. You'll leave ready to deliver the most personalized digital engagement experience every step of the way.
Register now to secure your spot in Charlotte, NC, on June 24-25, 2025! Early bird registration ends February 1st -- https://engage.element451.com/register
Multi-Agent AI Systems
In this second installment of a three-part series, hosts JC Bonilla and Ardis Kadiu examine how multiple AI agents can work together as coordinated teams. Using Element's Campaign Manager as a real-world example, they show how AI agents can mirror human marketing team structures and workflows. The hosts break down ROI measurement frameworks for these systems and discuss why higher education is still in early adoption. Through practical examples and clear explanations, this episode helps listeners understand the shift from single AI assistants to collaborative AI systems that can handle complex, multi-step tasks.
Series Context and Episode 1 Recap (00:00:06)
- Continuation of 3-episode series on AI agents
- Episode 1 became required listening at Element
- Foundation concepts: reason, adapt, and action
- Vertical vs horizontal AI solutions approach
Multi-Agent Systems Explained (00:08:12)
- Breakdown of agent vs assistant definitions
- How specialized agents work together
- Task distribution and hierarchy systems
- Comparison to human organizational structures
Campaign Manager Case Study (00:10:09)
- Element's real-world implementation example
- Multiple specialized roles working together:
- Campaign strategist agent
- Content writer agent
- Art director agent
- HTML builder agent
- How agents pass work between each other
- Integration with existing systems
ROI Measurement Frameworks (00:27:00)
- Three approaches to measuring success:
- Performance comparison with human work
- Financial outcomes and cost savings
- Organization-wide productivity gains
- How AI changes work output benchmarks
- New metrics for productivity measurement
Industry Adoption Analysis (00:35:41)
- Current state of multi-agent implementation
- Examples from marketing, engineering, customer support
- Higher education adoption challenges
- Need for institutional mindset changes
Human Role Evolution (00:40:25)
- Changes in day-to-day work with AI support
- Shift from individual work to AI orchestration
- Impact on job roles and responsibilities
- Future of human-AI collaboration
Episode 3 Preview (00:45:46)
- Coming discussion on AI workforce management
- Organizational change considerations
- IT departments' evolving role
- Future workplace predictions
- Research-based insights on AI integration
- - - -
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!
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.
Attend the 2025 Engage Summit!
The Engage Summit is the premier conference for forward-thinking leaders and practitioners dedicated to exploring the transformative power of AI in education. Explore the strategies and tools to step into the next generation of student engagement, supercharged by AI. You'll leave ready to deliver the most personalized digital engagement experience every step of the way.
Register now to secure your spot in Charlotte, NC, on June 24-25, 2025! Early bird registration ends February 1st -- https://engage.element451.com/register
Building the Agentic AI Framework
In this opening episode of a strategic three-part series, JC Bonilla and Ardis Kadiu introduce Element451's groundbreaking agentic framework for higher education. They explain how modern AI systems that can reason, adapt, and act are transforming student engagement. The episode lays the technical and operational foundation for understanding AI agents in education, setting up deeper discussions of multi-agent collaboration and AI workforce development in subsequent episodes. For education leaders preparing for AI integration in 2025, this episode provides essential context and practical insights.
Series Introduction (00:00:07)
- Overview of the three-part series structure
- Context of 2025 planning initiatives
- Introduction to agentic AI concepts
Understanding Modern AI Agents (00:06:10)
- Definition of agentic AI systems
- Evolution from basic agents to modern AI
- Core capabilities: reasoning, adaptation, and action
- Comparison with traditional automation
Element451's Agentic Framework (00:25:02)
- Five core principles for implementation:
- Seamless system integration
- Human-in-the-loop design
- Proactive and reactive capabilities
- Modular architecture
- Measurable impact
Technical Architecture Deep Dive (00:35:57)
- Framework components and building blocks
- Role of tools and skills
- Context and memory management
- Development of specialized AI assistants
Safety and Control Mechanisms (00:46:17)
- Implementation of protective guardrails
- Compliance with educational standards
- Reflection loops for improvement
- Performance measurement systems
Framework Benefits and Applications (00:54:23)
- Impact on student engagement
- Operational efficiency improvements
- Integration with existing workflows
- Connection to future episodes
Looking Ahead (01:00:08)
- Preview of multi-agent collaboration
- Introduction to AI workforce concepts
- Role of IT teams in AI management
- Organizational transformation potential
- - - -
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!
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.
Attend the 2025 Engage Summit!
The Engage Summit is the premier conference for forward-thinking leaders and practitioners dedicated to exploring the transformative power of AI in education. Explore the strategies and tools to step into the next generation of student engagement, supercharged by AI. You'll leave ready to deliver the most personalized digital engagement experience every step of the way.
Register now to secure your spot in Charlotte, NC, on June 24-25, 2025! Early bird registration ends February 1st -- https://engage.element451.com/register
AI Mastery in 2025: Skills, Tools & Practical Steps to Adoption for Higher Ed
Setting the Stage for AI in 2025 (00:00:07)
- Introduction of AI mastery as a key resolution for 2025
- Discussion of AI becoming mainstream in automation and workflows
- The importance of developing individual AI expertise and leadership skills
Core Skills for Individual AI Mastery (00:06:12)
- Essential tools: ChatGPT, Claude, and Gemini
- Moving beyond basic prompt engineering to problem-solving
- Focus on contextual understanding and domain expertise
- Time investment needed for staying current with AI developments
Building AI Workflows and Integration (00:11:41)
- Evolution from standalone tools to integrated workflows
- Importance of domain-specific knowledge in automation
- Creating production-ready work with AI assistance
- Examples of specialized AI tools in higher education
Staying Updated on AI Developments (00:14:31)
- Recommended resources: podcasts, newsletters, and industry blogs
- Time commitment for staying current (1-3 hours daily)
- Balancing content consumption with practical application
- Curating relevant information sources for your field
AI Leadership and Change Management (00:24:15)
- Focus on incremental implementation over long-term planning
- Importance of showing immediate value through experimentation
- Rethinking processes from first principles
- Strategies for managing team adoption and resistance
Data Integration and Knowledge Sources (00:31:20)
- Breaking down data silos in higher education
- Leveraging unstructured data (policies, documents, media)
- Connecting different data sources for better insights
- Examples of successful data integration in education
Partnership and Experimentation (00:34:38)
- New approach to vendor relationships in AI implementation
- Importance of co-creation and pilot programs
- Benefits of early adoption and experimentation
- Real-world examples of successful partnerships
Looking Ahead: AI Implementation Strategy (00:41:35)
- Long-term perspective on AI adoption
- Balance between curiosity and openness to change
- Focus on creating enterprise value through AI
- Importance of leadership in driving AI transformation
- - - -
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!
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.
Attend the 2025 Engage Summit!
The Engage Summit is the premier conference for forward-thinking leaders and practitioners dedicated to exploring the transformative power of AI in education. Explore the strategies and tools to step into the next generation of student engagement, supercharged by AI. You'll leave ready to deliver the most personalized digital engagement experience every step of the way.
Register now to secure your spot in Charlotte, NC, on June 24-25, 2025! Early bird registration ends February 1st -- https://engage.element451.com/register
12 Days of OpenAI - o1/o3 models, $200 Pro plan, Sora, Apple Intelligence, Projects + Canvas in ChatGPT, Search, Voice w/Video mode, 1-800-ChatGPT
In this information-packed episode, hosts Ardis Kadiu and JC Bonilla analyze OpenAI's "12 Days of OpenAI" campaign. They examine each major announcement, from new AI models like o1 and Sora to the introduction of the $200 ChatGPT Pro subscription. The hosts break down how these updates affect higher education professionals, exploring everything from advanced reasoning capabilities to video generation and voice features. This episode is essential listening for anyone in education who wants to understand OpenAI's latest developments and their practical applications in highered.
Model Releases
- o1: A new model that excels at breaking down complex problems
- o3 and o3-mini models (preview) with enhanced reasoning capabilities
- Sora: OpenAI's entry into text-to-video generation
ChatGPT's New Features
- ChatGPT Pro: A $200 monthly subscription with premium features
- Canvas: A new space for real-time collaboration
- Projects: Smart organization for conversations
- Universal search access
- Voice mode with video capabilities
- Phone access (1-800-ChatGPT)
Tools for Developers
- Simplified fine-tuning process
- o1 model API access
- New SDKs for Go and Java
- Realtime API
New Integrations
- Connection with Apple's ecosystem
- Works with Apple Notes, Notion, and other tools
- - - -
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!
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.
Attend the 2025 Engage Summit!
The Engage Summit is the premier conference for forward-thinking leaders and practitioners dedicated to exploring the transformative power of AI in education. Explore the strategies and tools to step into the next generation of student engagement, supercharged by AI. You'll leave ready to deliver the most personalized digital engagement experience every step of the way.
Register now to secure your spot in Charlotte, NC, on June 24-25, 2025! Early bird registration ends February 1st -- https://engage.element451.com/register
AI Predictions and Trends for 2025
In this milestone 56th episode of Generation AI, hosts JC Bonilla and Ardis Kadiu provide a comprehensive review of AI's transformation in 2024 and share strategic predictions for 2025. From the rise of multimodal AI to NVIDIA's market dominance, they examine how the technology landscape has evolved and what higher education institutions should prepare for in the coming year. The discussion offers practical insights into AI adoption, technological advances, and the changing nature of work in education.
Major AI Developments in 2024
Multimodal AI Breakthrough (00:05:31)
- AI systems now process multiple data types simultaneously (text, voice, images)
- Major releases: Google Veo, Amazon Nova
- Element451 implemented real-time voice capabilities
- Significant improvements in video generation and understanding
Small Language Models Evolution (00:10:24)
- Shift toward efficient, cost-effective models
- Key developments: TinyLLAMA, Claude Instant
- Focus on specific tasks rather than general-purpose use
- Enhanced speed and reduced operational costs
Investment and Market Growth (00:17:08)
- NVIDIA reached $3.5 trillion market cap
- XAI valued at $50 billion
- OpenAI reached $175 billion valuation
- AI startups attracted approximately $20 billion in funding
AI Agents and Autonomy (00:23:39)
- Transition from chatbots to autonomous systems
- Salesforce rebranded to "Agent Force"
- Focus shifted from safety concerns to practical applications
- Devon AI demonstrated full application building capabilities
Industry Maturity Signs (00:26:38)
- Reduced concerns about hallucinations and data safety
- Shift from experimental to practical use cases
- Notable challenges: Gemini AI image controversy, Bing AI misinformation
- McDonald's AI ordering system challenges
Predictions for 2025
AI Reasoning Evolution (00:29:16)
- Models will showcase improved reasoning capabilities
- Focus on "world models" understanding context
- Enhanced transparency in AI decision-making
- Better integration with robotic systems
Hyper-Personalization (00:31:44)
- Advanced contextual and seasonal targeting
- Integration with privacy-focused frameworks
- Cost reduction enabling individual-level AI processing
- Enhanced personalization in advertising and user experience
AI-Powered Devices (00:39:39)
- 30% of new devices to ship with built-in AI capabilities
- Enhanced mobile AI capabilities
- Improved interface and user experience
- Focus on smaller, more efficient devices
Higher Education Adoption (00:42:06)
- Mainstream adoption beyond early adopters
- Integration with existing systems (SIS, LMS)
- Focus on student experience and productivity
- Challenges with data integration and workflow automation
AI-Driven Analytics (00:44:52)
- Shift from traditional analysis tools to conversational interfaces
- Transformation of analyst roles to strategic positions
- Enhanced insight generation through AI
- Focus on outcomes rather than metrics
Industry Predictions (00:50:05)
- Continued NVIDIA market dominance
- Projected stock growth to $400
- Increased chip demand and market expansion
- Ongoing competition in global chip manufacturing
Key Takeaways for Higher Education
- AI adoption will move from experimental to mainstream in 2025
- Focus should be on practical applications rather than theoretical possibilities
- Integration with existing systems will be crucial for success
- Data strategy and infrastructure will determine AI implementation success
- Traditional roles will evolve to become more strategic and less operational
- - - -
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!
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.
Attend the 2025 Engage Summit!
The Engage Summit is the premier conference for forward-thinking leaders and practitioners dedicated to exploring the transformative power of AI in education. Explore the strategies and tools to step into the next generation of student engagement, supercharged by AI. You'll leave ready to deliver the most personalized digital engagement experience every step of the way.
Register now to secure your spot in Charlotte, NC, on June 24-25, 2025! Early bird registration ends February 1st -- https://engage.element451.com/register
Element451 lands $175M, signals AI's key role in higher ed
In this special episode, Ardis Kadiu and JC Bonilla discuss Element451's recent $175 million strategic investment from PSG Equity. They break down how this investment shows the market's strong belief in AI-powered student engagement. The conversation covers Element451's growth from its early days at NYU to becoming a leading AI-first platform, and what this means for higher education institutions looking to use AI for better student experiences. This funding will speed up the development of AI tools that make staff more productive while giving students 24/7 support.
Announcing the Big News (00:00:06)
- Introduction to special Sunday evening episode
- Element451 receives $175 million strategic investment from PSG Equity
- Hosts discuss the impact on AI in higher education
Element451's Origin Story (00:03:00)
- Started 17 years ago at NYU
- Focus on improving student experience from website to application
- Evolution from Spark451 agency to Element451 platform
- Early work with predictive models and data analysis
The AI-First Strategy (00:06:20)
- Element451's transition to AI-first company
- 346% customer growth since 2021
- Strategic importance of AI in student engagement
- Discussion of current market challenges in higher education
AI Solutions for Higher Education (00:11:39)
- Making staff more productive with AI tools
- 24/7 student engagement through AI systems
- Moving from chatbots to AI agents
- Focus on both staff productivity and student experience
The Future of AI in Student Engagement (00:15:21)
- Element451 as student engagement system of record
- Integration of data across the student lifecycle
- Development of conversational interfaces
- Plans for autonomous AI agents making decisions
Building Autonomous Systems (00:17:33)
- Moving beyond manual workflow automation
- AI-powered decision making for student engagement
- Creating personalized student journeys
- System's ability to evaluate and take next best actions
Looking Ahead (00:22:07)
- Timeline for new AI features
- Integration with more data sources
- Plans for personalized recommendations
- Discussion of student-centered AI agents
Personal Reflections (00:29:00)
- Impact of the investment on Element451's future
- CEO's perspective on company milestone
- Vision for creating value for partners and customers
- Looking forward to next phase of growth
- - - -
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!
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.
Attend the 2025 Engage Summit!
The Engage Summit is the premier conference for forward-thinking leaders and practitioners dedicated to exploring the transformative power of AI in education. Explore the strategies and tools to step into the next generation of student engagement, supercharged by AI. You'll leave ready to deliver the most personalized digital engagement experience every step of the way.
Register now to secure your spot in Charlotte, NC, on June 24-25, 2025! Early bird registration ends February 1st -- https://engage.element451.com/register
How Do Models Get Smarter? Pre-training, Fine-tuning, Long Context, Real-time Reasoning
In this illuminating discussion, hosts JC Bonilla and Ardis Kadiu break down the four fundamental ways AI models become smarter: pre-training (long-term memory), context/prompting (short-term memory), real-time reasoning (inference-time processing), and fine-tuning (specialized learning). Using real-world examples from Bloomberg GPT and Apple's strategy, they explain why bigger models aren't always better and how companies can achieve remarkable results by intelligently combining these different approaches to model intelligence. Kadiu provides a masterclass in understanding AI model development, challenging common assumptions about specialized models while explaining why current AI capabilities are sufficient for most applications over the next 4-5 years.
Post-Thanksgiving Welcome and Updates (00:00:07)
- Warm opening with hosts sharing Thanksgiving experiences
- Discussion of family gatherings and cooking adventures
- Setting the stage for a technical but accessible conversation
Understanding Model Intelligence: The Four Paths (00:29:06)
- Pre-training explained as "long-term memory" for models
- Context/prompting described as "short-term memory"
- Real-time reasoning capabilities during inference
- Fine-tuning as a specialized learning approach
- How these methods combine in practical applications
Pre-training Deep Dive (00:31:07)
- Explanation of the "P" in GPT (Generative Pre-trained Transformer)
- How pre-training works as foundational knowledge
- Cost implications of extensive pre-training
- Trade-offs between model size and performance
Context and Prompting Insights (00:32:44)
- Role of context in model performance
- How prompting provides short-term guidance
- Examples of effective context usage
- Impact on model accuracy and results
Real-time Reasoning Capabilities (00:34:06)
- How models perform inference-time reasoning
- Internal processing and decision-making
- Benefits of self-guided problem-solving
- Examples of reasoning in action
Fine-tuning and Specialization (00:36:16)
- When and why to use fine-tuning
- Cost benefits of specialized training
- Real-world examples of successful fine-tuning
- Limitations and considerations
Practical Applications and Cost Considerations (00:42:26)
- Analysis of decreasing model costs
- Speed vs accuracy trade-offs
- When to use which approach
- Future trends in model development
Industry Examples and Case Studies (00:47:20)
- Bloomberg GPT's lessons learned
- Apple's strategic approach to AI
- OpenAI's revenue model
- Success factors in model deployment
Looking Forward: The Next 4-5 Years (00:49:13)
- Current capabilities vs future needs
- Role of evaluation and testing
- Importance of proper tooling
- Balance between innovation and practical application
- - - -
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!
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.
Attend the 2025 Engage Summit!
The Engage Summit is the premier conference for forward-thinking leaders and practitioners dedicated to exploring the transformative power of AI in education. Explore the strategies and tools to step into the next generation of student engagement, supercharged by AI. You'll leave ready to deliver the most personalized digital engagement experience every step of the way.
Register now to secure your spot in Charlotte, NC, on June 24-25, 2025! Early bird registration ends February 1st -- https://engage.element451.com/register
AI vs. Application Fraud: Protecting Admissions from Digital Deception
In this episode of Generation AI, hosts Ardis Kadiu and JC Bonilla, joined by CTO Petar, explore the growing challenge of college application fraud and Element451's innovative AI solution. They discuss how fraudulent applications impact institutions through resource theft, financial aid abuse, and system manipulation. The conversation reveals how Element451's new AI-powered fraud detection system uses behavioral data and LLM reasoning to identify suspicious applications while avoiding demographic bias. The team explains their approach of keeping humans in the loop while using advanced technology to process applications at scale.
Introduction and Context (00:00:07)
- Hosts Ardis Kadiu and JC Bonilla welcome special guest Petar
- Discussion focuses on college application fraud detection
- Element451's development of AI-powered solution
Understanding Application Fraud (00:02:26)
- Impact on non-selective institutions and community colleges without application fees
- Fraudulent applications seeking .edu email addresses for free resources
- Financial aid fraud through fake applications
- Multiple levels of fraud affecting institutions
- Manual review process becoming overwhelming for schools
Current Detection Methods and Challenges (00:05:05)
- Discussion of sophisticated fraud schemes beyond simple automation
- Fraudsters using real data and identity theft
- VPN usage to mask locations
- Current manual review processes and their limitations
- Time constraints in application review during peak seasons
Element451's AI Solution: Bolt AI (00:10:16)
- Introduction to Bolt AI as Element451's AI framework
- Multiple factors considered in fraud detection
- Behavioral data analysis approach
- Focus on non-demographic indicators to prevent bias
Key Detection Factors (00:12:21)
- Time to submission analysis
- Application submission patterns
- IP address verification and VPN detection
- Email validation and bounce rate checking
- Geographic location analysis
- Cross-system duplicate detection
AI Implementation and Reasoning (00:21:13)
- Use of Large Language Models (LLMs) for reasoning
- Advantage over traditional rule-based systems
- Explainable AI decisions with detailed reasoning
- Processing of 60,000 applications in initial weeks
- Human feedback integration for system improvement
Bias Prevention and Fair Evaluation (00:32:33)
- Focus on behavioral data rather than demographic information
- Human-in-the-loop approach for final decisions
- Importance of transparency in decision-making
- Feedback collection for system refinement
Operational Impact (00:38:18)
- Creation of separate workflows for high-risk applications
- Quarantine system for suspicious applications
- Balance between fast processing and security
- Resource protection and cost savings
- Improved student experience through faster legitimate application processing
Future Developments (00:42:55)
- Plans for generative UI in student experience
- Development of proactive AI systems
- Enhanced personalization capabilities
- Integration with student hub
- Dynamic workflow planning based on student behavior
Benefits and Innovation (00:46:18)
- Improved data integrity in application processing
- Transparent decision-making process
- Enhanced speed without compromising security
- Better resource allocation for legitimate applications
- - - -
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!
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.
Attend the 2025 Engage Summit!
The Engage Summit is the premier conference for forward-thinking leaders and practitioners dedicated to exploring the transformative power of AI in education. Explore the strategies and tools to step into the next generation of student engagement, supercharged by AI. You'll leave ready to deliver the most personalized digital engagement experience every step of the way.
Register now to secure your spot in Charlotte, NC, on June 24-25, 2025! Early bird registration ends February 1st -- https://engage.element451.com/register
Beyond the Limits: How AI Models Are Redefining Capabilities
In this episode of Generation AI, hosts Ardis Kadiu and JC Bonilla explore the intricate world of AI scaling in higher education. They break down the concept of scaling, from its foundational components to its implications for AI development and implementation. Drawing on real-world examples, they delve into the triad of model size, data, and computational power, and discuss challenges like data scarcity, computational limits, and diminishing returns. The episode also offers insights into how industry leaders like OpenAI, Google, and Meta are tackling these roadblocks.
Key Takeaways
- AI Scaling Defined: Scaling in AI refers to how efficiently and effectively models can accomplish tasks of increasing complexity, measured by speed and intelligence.
- The Triad of AI Scaling: Model size, data quality, and computational power are the key elements driving AI advancements.
- Challenges in AI Scaling:
- Data scarcity, particularly for high-quality, domain-specific datasets.
- Skyrocketing computational costs and energy requirements.
- Diminishing returns as larger models yield less exponential improvement.
- Mitigation Strategies: Techniques like synthetic data generation, hyperparameter tuning, and reasoning-focused models address scaling challenges.
- Future of AI Models: Companies are shifting focus from generalist models to domain-specific and reasoning-oriented solutions.
What Does AI Scaling Mean?
AI scaling refers to how effectively artificial intelligence can solve increasingly complex tasks. Hosts Ardis Kadu and JC Bonilla explain this through a lens of "smartness"—can a model achieve in minutes, hours, or days what humans might take weeks to accomplish? Scaling doesn’t just mean faster; it also means smarter. For example, GPT-4 is 10 times more capable than GPT-3.5 in many areas, but the diminishing returns of scaling larger models have prompted researchers to rethink strategies.
What Are the Key Challenges in Scaling AI?
The conversation explores three primary challenges in scaling AI:
- Data Scarcity: High-quality training data is increasingly hard to source. While earlier models relied on vast amounts of freely available online data, this resource has been largely exhausted. Additionally, domain-specific datasets, like those in healthcare or education, are often inaccessible or proprietary.
- Computational Costs: Training large models costs hundreds of millions—and soon billions—of dollars. Companies face challenges balancing the need for immense computing power with energy efficiency and sustainability.
- Diminishing Returns: As models grow, they require exponentially more computational resources to achieve only incremental improvements in performance. This raises questions about whether scaling efforts are sustainable.
How Are Companies Tackling Scaling Challenges?
The podcast highlights how leading tech companies are approaching these roadblocks:
- OpenAI: Focuses on reasoning-based models and test-time compute, allowing AI to think dynamically during task execution.
- Google: Invests in multimodal capabilities and domain-specific applications, such as its advancements in protein folding and specialized coding models.
- Meta: Explores alternative architectures and world models, aiming to overcome the limitations of transformer-based AI systems.
- XAI (Elon Musk's Initiative): Prioritizes "truth-seeking" AI and first-principles problem-solving.
What Role Do Mitigation Strategies Play?
To address the challenges of scaling, companies and researchers are leveraging innovative strategies, including:
- Synthetic Data Generation: Creating artificial datasets to fill gaps in training data.
- Hyperparameter Tuning: Optimizing how models learn to improve efficiency.
- Reasoning-Based Models: Enhancing AI’s ability to think and adapt dynamically during real-time tasks.
The hosts share how these approaches are unlocking new possibilities for AI in higher education. For instance, at Element, reasoning-focused AI is being used to identify fraudulent applications by analyzing behavioral patterns and contextual data.
What Does the Future Hold for AI Scaling?
The episode closes with a discussion of where AI is headed. The hosts emphasize that while scaling generalist models may slow, there’s growing momentum around domain-specific applications and reasoning engines. These advancements could revolutionize fields like marketing attribution, student engagement, and personalized learning in 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!
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.
Attend the 2025 Engage Summit!
The Engage Summit is the premier conference for forward-thinking leaders and practitioners dedicated to exploring the transformative power of AI in education. Explore the strategies and tools to step into the next generation of student engagement, supercharged by AI. You'll leave ready to deliver the most personalized digital engagement experience every step of the way.
Register now to secure your spot in Charlotte, NC, on June 24-25, 2025! Early bird registration ends February 1st -- https://engage.element451.com/register
Post election AI agenda, Chegg's ChatGPT nightmare, Tech consolidation ahead
In this timely episode of Generation AI, hosts Ardis Kadiu and Dr. JC Bonilla examine how the recent election results could reshape AI's role in higher education. They analyze potential shifts in AI regulation, funding, and innovation under the new administration. The hosts explore how changes in merger policies and efficiency mandates might accelerate AI adoption, while also discussing the cautionary tale of Chegg's dramatic market value loss due to ChatGPT's emergence. This episode offers crucial insights for education professionals navigating the rapidly evolving intersection of politics, AI, and higher education.
Election Impact on AI Regulation (00:00:07)
- Introduction of key themes around election results
- Expected rollback of Biden's AI executive order
- Shift toward less regulation and oversight of AI development
Mergers and Innovation in AI (00:07:14)
- Discussion of potential changes to merger regulations
- Impact on AI company acquisitions and innovation
- Analysis of how reduced regulation could benefit AI startups
Efficiency and Government Reform (00:16:16)
- Role of AI in government efficiency initiatives
- Analysis of FAFSA implementation failures
- Discussion of potential Department of Education reforms
AI and National Competition (00:24:31)
- Meta's LLAMA model licensing changes for government use
- Discussion of US-China AI competition
- Analysis of semiconductor regulations and AI compute power
The Chegg Case Study (00:28:44)
- Detailed analysis of Chegg's market collapse
- Impact of ChatGPT on education technology
- Loss of $14.5 billion in market value
- Failed attempts at AI adaptation
Future of Educational Content (00:37:26)
- Discussion of AI's impact on learning management systems
- Analysis of content generation in education
- Implications for service providers and agencies
- Examples of new AI-powered learning platforms
Closing Thoughts (00:41:13)
- Summary of key points about AI under new administration
- Discussion of accelerated technology adoption
- Final insights on AI's future in 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!
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.
Attend the 2025 Engage Summit!
The Engage Summit is the premier conference for forward-thinking leaders and practitioners dedicated to exploring the transformative power of AI in education. Explore the strategies and tools to step into the next generation of student engagement, supercharged by AI. You'll leave ready to deliver the most personalized digital engagement experience every step of the way.
Register now to secure your spot in Charlotte, NC, on June 24-25, 2025! Early bird registration ends February 1st -- https://engage.element451.com/register
Gen AI Powered Search - How will ChatGPT Search and Perplexity change SEO?
In this live episode of Generation AI, hosts Ardis Kadiu and JC Bonilla dive into the groundbreaking shifts happening in AI-powered search technology. They discuss how major players like OpenAI, Google, and Meta are driving a paradigm shift in online search. Joined by Ty Fujimura, an expert in UX and SEO, they explore how generative AI is transforming the way users interact with information, from natural language search to real-time personalization. This conversation highlights both the opportunities and challenges for marketers, content creators, and higher education professionals looking to stay ahead in an AI-driven digital landscape.
Key Takeaways
- Natural Language Search: Generative AI enables search without keywords, allowing users to communicate queries conversationally, transforming how they find information.
- Personalization in Real Time: AI-powered search adapts based on user behavior, location, and even time of day, enabling a more tailored information retrieval experience.
- The Role of Authentic Content: As AI search engines source information from various platforms, producing authentic, context-rich content across multiple channels is key to maintaining brand presence.
- Impact on SEO and Website Strategy: Traditional SEO practices are shifting; now, the emphasis is on creating diverse, authoritative content that AI can reference and summarize effectively.
- Predicted Drop in Organic Traffic: As AI search improves, website visits may decline, making social media and paid search essential for driving traffic and engagement.
Episode Summary
What Is AI-Powered Search, and Why Does It Matter?
In this episode, Ardis and JC discuss the evolution of AI-powered search and how it’s disrupting traditional methods of information retrieval. Unlike traditional keyword-based searches, AI-powered search relies on natural language processing, making it more intuitive and conversational. The hosts highlight how tools like ChatGPT, Perplexity, and Google’s Gemini are enabling users to ask complex questions in everyday language, making search experiences feel more interactive and responsive. By bridging the gap between keywords and conversation, AI is setting the stage for a more user-centric internet, particularly significant for higher education and content-driven industries.
How Does Personalization Transform the Search Experience?
AI-powered search isn’t just conversational; it’s also deeply personalized. According to the hosts, AI can now remember preferences and adapt its responses to individual users based on their browsing habits, location, and even the device they use. Ty Fujimura adds that personalization can extend to contextualizing responses based on user history, allowing searches to align more closely with individual needs and timing. For example, if a user often searches for research articles in the morning, AI could prioritize academic sources. The ability to provide such a customized experience makes it vital for marketers to rethink content strategies, ensuring their material remains relevant across varied user contexts.
How Will AI Change SEO and Content Strategy?
With generative AI reshaping search, SEO is evolving from keyword optimization to content diversification and authenticity. Ty suggests that instead of focusing on keywords, website owners and marketers need to emphasize genuine, unique content. AI now aggregates information from multiple sources, including websites, social media, and forums, to deliver comprehensive answers, bypassing the need for users to click on individual links. In the higher education space, this shift means that content must be readily accessible and informative across channels like Substack, Medium, and even Reddit, as AI pulls from these diverse data streams.
This trend of reduced organic traffic to websites emphasizes the importance of social media as a branding tool and reinforces the value of paid search to drive user engagement. As AI technologies like Perplexity and ChatGPT enhance user experience with organized, real-time search results, it’s clear that SEO strategies must pivot to include broader content ecosystems and a heightened focus on brand authenticity.
What Are the Implications for Content Monetization and Advertising?
One potential challenge discussed is the future monetization of AI-powered search. As AI search tools from companies like OpenAI, Meta, and Google gain popularity, the ad-free experience may not last indefinitely. JC points out that, much like social media before it, AI search platforms could begin incorporating subtle paid influences, raising questions about transparency and the authenticity of information. In the meantime, brands should capitalize on the ad-free landscape by establishing a solid, authentic content presence across platforms AI frequently references.
For marketers, this shift also means strategizing around paid search and social media for direct traffic, as organic traffic from traditional search engines may dwindle. Higher education marketers, for example, can leverage this period by creating content-rich knowledge bases that AI can use to answer specific user questions, building credibility and maintaining visibility in an evolving digital ecosystem.
- - - -
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!
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.
Attend the 2025 Engage Summit!
The Engage Summit is the premier conference for forward-thinking leaders and practitioners dedicated to exploring the transformative power of AI in education. Explore the strategies and tools to step into the next generation of student engagement, supercharged by AI. You'll leave ready to deliver the most personalized digital engagement experience every step of the way.
Register now to secure your spot in Charlotte, NC, on June 24-25, 2025! Early bird registration ends February 1st -- https://engage.element451.com/register
JC Returns to Element451 + Higher Ed's AI Reality Check as 91% of CTOs Feel Unprepared
In this milestone episode, Dr. JC Bonilla returns home to Element451 as COO and Head of AI Practice, joining forces again with CEO Ardis Kadiu after their 17-year journey from NYU to now. The timing is critical - new data shows 91% of higher education CTOs feel unprepared for AI adoption. The longtime friends discuss how Element451's AI-first approach will help colleges tackle their biggest challenges, from talent gaps to budget constraints.
Major Announcement: JC Joins Element451 (00:00:07)
- Dr. JC Bonilla joins Element451 as COO and Head of AI Practice
- 17-year history of collaboration between JC and Ardis
- Focus on implementing AI across operations and products
Element451's AI-First Vision (00:07:08)
- Discussion of company's commitment to AI integration
- Emphasis on infusing AI into all aspects of operations
- Strategy for implementing AI across marketing, analytics, and customer success
The State of AI in Higher Education (00:23:27)
- Survey reveals only 9% of CTOs feel prepared for AI
- 46% express enthusiasm but only 23% make it high priority
- Discussion of budget allocation challenges
Current AI Applications on Campus (00:27:09)
- Virtual chatbots and assistants lead adoption at 50%
- Cybersecurity applications second at 35%
- Predictive analytics for student performance at 27%
Key Challenges in AI Implementation (00:34:26)
- Difficulty hiring qualified AI professionals
- Compensation gaps between higher ed and private sector
- Policy and governance concerns
Digital Transformation Priority (00:38:27)
- 62% of CTOs prioritize digital transformation
- Discussion of technology adoption strategies
- Balance between technical expertise and practical implementation
Future of Higher Education Technology (00:42:49)
- Vision for transforming student engagement
- Importance of AI literacy in higher education
- Role of Element451 in driving innovation
- - - -
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!
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.
Attend the 2025 Engage Summit!
The Engage Summit is the premier conference for forward-thinking leaders and practitioners dedicated to exploring the transformative power of AI in education. Explore the strategies and tools to step into the next generation of student engagement, supercharged by AI. You'll leave ready to deliver the most personalized digital engagement experience every step of the way.
Register now to secure your spot in Charlotte, NC, on June 24-25, 2025! Early bird registration ends February 1st -- https://engage.element451.com/register
Catching Rockets, Self-Driving Taxis, and Supercomputers: Elon Musk's Vision
In this eye-opening episode of Generation AI, we dive into Elon Musk's game-changing breakthroughs that are reshaping our future. From SpaceX's Starship catching rockets mid-air to Tesla's steering wheel-free robotaxis, and xAI's record-breaking supercomputer built in just 19 days, we explore how these innovations are pushing the boundaries of what's possible. Learn how Musk's relentless application of first principles thinking is driving rapid advancements in space travel, transportation, and artificial intelligence. This episode is a must-listen for anyone fascinated by how cutting-edge tech and innovative thinking can solve humanity's biggest challenges and accelerate our journey into an exciting future.
Introduction: Exploring Elon Musk's Latest Breakthroughs (00:00:06)
- Overview of recent achievements at SpaceX, Tesla, and xAI
- Introduction to Musk's first principles thinking approach
- How these breakthroughs are changing multiple industries
First Principles Thinking Framework (00:08:40)
- Breakdown of the five steps in first principles thinking
- Example of how Musk applied this to rocket development at SpaceX
- The importance of questioning assumptions and rapid iteration
SpaceX's Starship Test Flight Success (00:17:06)
- Details of the October 13, 2024 Starship test flight
- The significance of the Super Heavy booster return and catch mechanism
- How reusability is key to Musk's vision of Mars colonization
Tesla's Robotaxis and Humanoid Robots (00:22:46)
- Unveiling of the Cybercab robotaxi prototype
- Development of Tesla Bots (Optimus) for factory work
- How Tesla is positioning itself as a robotics company
- The role of the Dojo supercomputer in advancing self-driving tech
xAI's Record-Breaking Supercomputer (00:35:16)
- Partnership with NVIDIA and Oracle to build the fastest AI supercomputer
- How the system was built in just 19 days
- The goal of developing Artificial General Intelligence (AGI)
- Potential impacts on AI research and development
Musk's Leadership Principles and Vision (00:41:51)
- How first principles thinking is applied across Musk's companies
- The importance of rapid iteration and embracing failure
- Creating connections between space, transportation, and AI technologies
Discussion on Impact and Innovation (00:49:46)
- Balancing technological achievements with controversial aspects
- The role of individual impact in driving innovation
- Reflecting on how history may view current innovations and their creators
Conclusion: Building the Future Today (00:55:51)
- Final thoughts on innovation and its messy nature
- The importance of making an impact, regardless of scale
- Encouragement for listeners to pursue their own innovations
- - - -
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!
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.
Attend the 2025 Engage Summit!
The Engage Summit is the premier conference for forward-thinking leaders and practitioners dedicated to exploring the transformative power of AI in education. Explore the strategies and tools to step into the next generation of student engagement, supercharged by AI. You'll leave ready to deliver the most personalized digital engagement experience every step of the way.
Register now to secure your spot in Charlotte, NC, on June 24-25, 2025! Early bird registration ends February 1st -- https://engage.element451.com/register
OpenAI's voice API, Notebook LM, Meta's AR glasses wow, Google's $120M AI education push ALT: From Voice Interfaces to Virtual Reality
In this exciting episode of Generation AI, hosts Ardis Kadiu and JC Bonilla dive deep into the latest AI developments from five major tech companies: OpenAI, Microsoft, Google, Anthropic, and Meta. They explore groundbreaking innovations like real-time voice APIs, AI-powered glasses, and advanced language models, discussing their potential impact on various industries, including higher education. The hosts also touch on the business aspects, such as OpenAI's shift to a for-profit model and its record-breaking fundraising. This episode is a must-listen for anyone interested in staying up-to-date with the rapidly evolving AI landscape and understanding how these advancements might shape our future interactions with technology.
Introduction and OpenAI Updates (00:00:07)
- Hosts Ardis Kadiu and JC Bonilla introduce the episode's focus on recent AI developments
- Discussion of OpenAI's Dev Day announcements, including the real-time voice API
- Overview of OpenAI's shift to a for-profit model and record-breaking $6.6 billion fundraising
Microsoft's AI Investments and Challenges (00:11:21)
- Microsoft's partnership with OpenAI and its struggle to keep up with compute demand
- Acquisition of Three Mile Island for data center power
- Updates to Microsoft Copilot and its integration with productivity tools
Google's Notebook LM and AI Education Investment (00:16:30)
- Introduction to Google's Notebook LM for document ingestion and summarization
- Demonstration of Notebook LM's podcast generation capabilities
- Google's $120 million investment in AI education through Google.org
Anthropic's Recent Developments (00:25:47)
- Discussion of Anthropic's Claude AI and its artifacts feature
- Launch of cloud enterprise plans similar to OpenAI Enterprise
- Anthropic's position in the AI market and its appeal to advanced users
Meta's Exciting AI and AR Innovations (00:30:52)
- Introduction of Project Orion, Meta's experimental AR glasses
- Comparison with Apple Vision Pro and potential impact on the AR market
- Meta's AI-powered creator tools for social media, including MovieGen for video generation
- - - -
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!
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.
Attend the 2025 Engage Summit!
The Engage Summit is the premier conference for forward-thinking leaders and practitioners dedicated to exploring the transformative power of AI in education. Explore the strategies and tools to step into the next generation of student engagement, supercharged by AI. You'll leave ready to deliver the most personalized digital engagement experience every step of the way.
Register now to secure your spot in Charlotte, NC, on June 24-25, 2025! Early bird registration ends February 1st -- https://engage.element451.com/register
Why AI Agents Are the Future of Software
In this eye-opening episode of Generation AI, hosts Ardis Kadiu and Dr. JC Bonilla dive deep into the world of AI agents and their transformative potential in higher education. They explore how AI agents are evolving from reactive to proactive systems, reshaping software delivery, and revolutionizing student engagement. The hosts discuss real-world applications, from streamlining orientation processes to personalizing marketing campaigns at scale. This episode is a must-listen for higher education professionals looking to understand how AI agents can act as powerful teammates, enhancing workflows and expanding organizational capabilities without replacing human roles.
Understanding AI Agents and Their Evolution (00:00:06)
- Definition and characteristics of AI agents
- Historical context: from ELIZA to modern AI assistants
- The shift from reactive to proactive AI systems
Key Components of Modern AI Agents (00:16:16)
- Autonomy, perception, reactivity, reasoning, learning, and communication
- The importance of large language models in enabling sophisticated AI agents
- Multi-modal communication capabilities: text, voice, and beyond
AI Agents in Higher Education: Real-World Applications (00:32:37)
- Revolutionizing new student orientation processes
- Streamlining administrative tasks across departments
- Enhancing personalized communication with students
Transforming Marketing Campaigns with AI Agents (00:38:10)
- Creating dynamic, personalized campaigns at scale
- The role of human input in guiding AI-driven marketing strategies
- Proactive agents: Real-time campaign optimization based on fresh data
The Future of AI Agents in Higher Education (00:45:55)
- Multi-agent systems: Orchestrating complex workflows
- AI agents as teammates, not replacements for human staff
- The potential for AI to expand organizational capabilities
Implementing AI Agents: Considerations and Challenges (00:49:00)
- The importance of thoughtful implementation and human oversight
- Balancing automation with personalization and brand safety
- Preparing for the next wave of AI technology in 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!
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.
Attend the 2025 Engage Summit!
The Engage Summit is the premier conference for forward-thinking leaders and practitioners dedicated to exploring the transformative power of AI in education. Explore the strategies and tools to step into the next generation of student engagement, supercharged by AI. You'll leave ready to deliver the most personalized digital engagement experience every step of the way.
Register now to secure your spot in Charlotte, NC, on June 24-25, 2025! Early bird registration ends February 1st -- https://engage.element451.com/register
State of AI Adoption in HigherEd: Insights from USG AI Summit
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!
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.
Attend the 2025 Engage Summit!
The Engage Summit is the premier conference for forward-thinking leaders and practitioners dedicated to exploring the transformative power of AI in education. Explore the strategies and tools to step into the next generation of student engagement, supercharged by AI. You'll leave ready to deliver the most personalized digital engagement experience every step of the way.
Register now to secure your spot in Charlotte, NC, on June 24-25, 2025! Early bird registration ends February 1st -- https://engage.element451.com/register
Synthetic Data: The Secret Weapon for Smarter AI
In this episode of Generation AI, hosts JC Bonilla and Ardis Kadiu explore the transformative potential of synthetic data in AI model advancements. They discuss how this artificially generated information has become crucial for AI systems, now accounting for 60% of data used in AI according to Gartner. Highlighting the accessibility of this technology, JC and Ardis conduct a live demonstration, generating synthetic admissions data in real-time. This practical showcase illustrates how institutions can leverage synthetic data to solve real-world problems in education, from forecasting enrollment to optimizing resource allocation.
Understanding Synthetic Data (00:07:05)
- Definition: Artificially generated data mimicking real-world patterns
- Importance: 60% of data in AI is synthetically generated (Gartner statistic)
- Use in training smaller, specific models for various applications
- Regulatory and ethical considerations, including privacy and security implications
Applications in Higher Education (00:03:11)
- Creating datasets for testing failure scenarios in educational systems
- Using synthetic data for student recruitment and admissions modeling
- Potential for inventory management and forecasting in campus operations
- Examples in autonomous vehicles, finance, and healthcare applicable to university research
Live Synthetic Data Generation Demo (00:16:25)
- Introduction of "Artis, I have a question" segment
- Step-by-step process of generating synthetic admissions data using AI
- Demonstration of creating Python code for data generation and visualization
- Discussion on potential refinements and uses of generated data in higher education contexts
- - - -
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!
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.
Attend the 2025 Engage Summit!
The Engage Summit is the premier conference for forward-thinking leaders and practitioners dedicated to exploring the transformative power of AI in education. Explore the strategies and tools to step into the next generation of student engagement, supercharged by AI. You'll leave ready to deliver the most personalized digital engagement experience every step of the way.
Register now to secure your spot in Charlotte, NC, on June 24-25, 2025! Early bird registration ends February 1st -- https://engage.element451.com/register
AI Reasoning: How Machines Think and Learn
In this episode of Generation AI, hosts JC Bonilla and Ardis Kadiu break down the complex world of AI reasoning in anticipation of the OpenAI's o1 (aka strawberry) model. They explain how AI systems make decisions, from neural networks to symbolic logic, and discuss the growing importance of explainable AI. The conversation covers key trends in AI reasoning, including neurosymbiolic systems and human-AI collaboration, with practical examples of how these concepts are being applied to build AI software in support of student recruitment and engagement.
Introduction to AI Reasoning (00:00:06)
- JC Bonilla and Ardis Kadiu discuss the importance of AI reasoning
- Overview of knowledge representation, reasoning algorithms, and learning algorithms in AI
Types of Reasoning in AI (00:07:03)
- Explanation of deductive, inductive, abductive, and common sense reasoning
- How these reasoning types are applied in AI systems
Explainable AI (XAI) (00:15:54)
- Definition and importance of explainable AI
- Example of XAI in loan application processes
- Discussion on transparency, fairness, and model improvement
Neurosymbolic AI (00:24:26)
- Integration of neural networks and symbolic reasoning
- Example of neurosymbolic reasoning in medical diagnosis
- Benefits of combining deep learning with domain-specific expertise
Human-AI Collaboration (00:29:22)
- Concept of "human in the loop" in AI systems
- Applications in various industries including higher education
- Balancing AI autonomy with human input and oversight
AI Reasoning in Higher Education (00:30:29)
- Ardis Kadiu explains Element451's approach to AI reasoning
- Discussion on building AI playbooks for student recruitment and engagement
- Challenges in encoding expert knowledge into AI systems
LLMs and Reasoning Capabilities (00:32:36)
- Limitations of current Large Language Models (LLMs) in true reasoning
- Explanation of how LLMs currently predict based on patterns rather than reason
- The need for step-by-step reasoning data to improve LLM capabilities
OpenAI's O1 (Strawberry) Model (00:35:58)
- Introduction to OpenAI's anticipated reasoning breakthrough model, O1 (aka Strawberry)
- Explanation of the "Strawberry problem" in AI reasoning
- Discussion on the potential impact of true reasoning capabilities in AI systems
The Future of AI Reasoning in Education (00:37:22)
- Implications of improved AI reasoning for personalized student engagement
- Potential for AI to make more informed decisions in educational contexts
- The importance of developing AI systems that can truly reason, not just predict
Conclusion and Implications (00:37:59)
- Recap of key AI reasoning concepts and their importance in higher education
- Discussion on the ethical considerations and regulatory aspects of AI in education
- Final thoughts on the future of AI reasoning and its potential to transform 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!
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.
Attend the 2025 Engage Summit!
The Engage Summit is the premier conference for forward-thinking leaders and practitioners dedicated to exploring the transformative power of AI in education. Explore the strategies and tools to step into the next generation of student engagement, supercharged by AI. You'll leave ready to deliver the most personalized digital engagement experience every step of the way.
Register now to secure your spot in Charlotte, NC, on June 24-25, 2025! Early bird registration ends February 1st -- https://engage.element451.com/register
OpenAI's o1 Model: A Leap Forward in AI Reasoning
In this cutting-edge episode of Generation AI, hosts Ardis Kadiu and JC Bonilla, joined by special guest Petar Djordjevic, dive deep into OpenAI's groundbreaking o1 model. Released just a day before the recording, this new AI model marks a significant leap forward in reasoning capabilities. The hosts explore how o1's advanced reasoning skills could revolutionize various industries and applications, from customer engagement to complex problem-solving. They discuss the model's potential to create personalized experiences, automate intricate tasks, and provide insights that were previously unattainable.
Introduction to OpenAI's o1 Model (00:00:59)
- Hosts introduce the new OpenAI o1 model, also known as "strawberry"
- Discussion of the model's significant leap forward in reasoning capabilities
- Explanation of how o1 differs from previous models in problem-solving approaches
Technical Insights into o1's Capabilities (00:03:05)
- Petar explains the o1 model's ability to handle complex tasks and domains
- Discussion of the "strawberry test" and its significance in AI development
- Comparison of o1's performance to previous models like GPT-4
Impact on Various Industries and Applications (00:30:37)
- Exploration of how o1 could transform customer engagement and business strategies
- Discussion on creating personalized experiences using AI
- Potential for AI to analyze complex data points and predict next steps in various scenarios
Reasoning Capabilities and Real-World Applications (00:45:15)
- Analysis of o1's ability to show its reasoning process
- Discussion on how this transparency can aid in decision-making and problem-solving
- Exploration of potential applications in fields such as science, finance, and technology
The Future of AI in Society and Industry (00:55:15)
- Ardis discusses the potential of transformer models in absorbing and recalling information
- Exploration of how o1 could lead to more autonomous AI systems
- Debate on the role of human oversight in AI-driven processes
Closing Thoughts and Future Directions (00:59:49)
- Discussion on the balance between AI automation and human involvement
- Hosts propose future topics for exploration, including human-in-the-loop processes
- Reflection on the broader implications of advanced AI models like o1 for society and innovation
- - - -
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!
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.
Attend the 2025 Engage Summit!
The Engage Summit is the premier conference for forward-thinking leaders and practitioners dedicated to exploring the transformative power of AI in education. Explore the strategies and tools to step into the next generation of student engagement, supercharged by AI. You'll leave ready to deliver the most personalized digital engagement experience every step of the way.
Register now to secure your spot in Charlotte, NC, on June 24-25, 2025! Early bird registration ends February 1st -- https://engage.element451.com/register
Top 100 GenAI Apps: ChatGPT dominates, Perplexity rises, ByteDance pushes AI, dating apps get smarter
In this back-to-school special episode of Generation AI, hosts Ardis Kadiu and JC Bonilla explore the latest trends in AI consumer apps, based on recent research ranking the Top 100 Gen AI Consumer Apps from . They discuss the dominance of creative tools, the rise of new AI assistants, China's growing influence in the AI market, and the emergence of new categories like aesthetics and dating apps.
Top 100 Gen AI Consumer Apps Research (00:05:27)
- Overview of the research methodology: ranking top 100 Generative AI Consumer Apps
- Nearly 30% of companies are new compared to the March 2024 report
Use Types in AI Apps (00:13:42)
- Creative tools continue to dominate the AI app landscape
- 52% of web list companies focus on content generation or editing across various modalities
- Video and music creation apps are on the rise
- Highlight of new entrants: Luma (#14), Viggle (#21), SeaArt (#29), and Udio (#33)
- Suno, a music generator, made the biggest leap from #36 to #5
Dominant AI Technologies (00:20:04)
- ChatGPT remains the #1 product on web and mobile
- Perplexity climbs to #3, surpassing ChatGPT in user engagement
- Claude rises from #10 to #4 in web rankings, driven by its new Artifacts feature
- Luzia's mobile debut at #25 with 45 million global users
China's Growing Influence in AI (00:31:10)
- ByteDance (TikTok's parent company) enters the AI market
- Three new ByteDance apps debut: Gauth (#44), Coze (#45), and Doubao (#47)
- ByteDance now has six spots across web and mobile lists
- Discussion of ByteDance's R&D division, Flow, focused on generative AI applications
Emerging Categories: Aesthetics and Dating (00:23:45)
- Introduction of new apps: LooksMax AI (#43), Umax (#44), and RIZZ (#49)
- LooksMax and Umax offer AI-driven attractiveness ratings and tips
- RIZZ helps users improve dating app messages with AI-generated suggestions
Global Distribution of AI Innovation (00:31:10)
- Discussion of the geographical spread of AI innovation
- Mention of surprising tech hubs like Florida and Poland
The Shift from Technology to Application (00:31:59)
- Transition from focusing on underlying AI technology to practical applications
- The importance of use cases in driving AI adoption
Closing Thoughts and Recommendations (00:34:11)
- Encouragement to stay curious and informed about AI developments
- Advice for educators to embrace AI and integrate it into their teaching practices
- Emphasis on the importance of experimenting with AI to enhance the classroom experience
- - - -
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!
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.
Attend the 2025 Engage Summit!
The Engage Summit is the premier conference for forward-thinking leaders and practitioners dedicated to exploring the transformative power of AI in education. Explore the strategies and tools to step into the next generation of student engagement, supercharged by AI. You'll leave ready to deliver the most personalized digital engagement experience every step of the way.
Register now to secure your spot in Charlotte, NC, on June 24-25, 2025! Early bird registration ends February 1st -- https://engage.element451.com/register
How Universities are Integrating AI Today | Why Personalization is the Key to Student Retention | Ethical Challenges in Higher Ed AI | How AI is Reshaping the Job Market for Graduate | Preparing for AI-Driven World with Brian Piper @ U of Rochester
Brian Piper is the and host of AI for U podcast and the Director of Content Strategy and Assessment at the University of Rochester, where he chairs the Marcom AI. Known for his expertise in data analysis and AI applications in higher education, Brian is also an active skydiver with nearly 3,000 jumps under his belt. He's a frequent speaker at higher education and content conferences, sharing his insights on AI's role in shaping the future of education.
In Today's Episode with Brian We Discuss:
Current AI Applications in Higher Education (00:03:15)
- What are the most effective ways universities are using AI today?
- How is AI changing the landscape of marketing and content creation in higher ed?
- What low-risk, high-reward AI applications can institutions implement quickly?
- How can AI tools save time and resources for more strategic work?
Challenges of AI Adoption in Universities (00:10:30)
- What are the main concerns institutions have about adopting AI technologies?
- How can universities address issues of data privacy and copyright when using AI?
- What strategies can help overcome resistance to AI integration in academic settings?
- How can institutions balance the benefits of AI with the fear of job displacement?
Personalization and Student Experience (00:18:45)
- How can AI create more personalized experiences for students?
- What role can AI play in improving student retention rates?
- How might AI transform the way universities communicate with prospective and current students?
- What are the potential drawbacks of AI-driven personalization in education?
Ethical Considerations and Future Implications (00:26:00)
- What are the key ethical concerns surrounding AI use in higher education?
- How can universities ensure transparency and reduce bias in AI-driven decision-making?
- What long-term implications might AI have on the job market for graduates?
- How can institutions balance the benefits of AI with the need for human oversight?
Preparing Students for an AI-Driven World (00:33:15)
- What skills should universities focus on to prepare students for an AI-dominated workforce?
- How can institutions teach students to use AI tools effectively and ethically?
- What changes might be necessary in university curricula to address AI literacy?
- How can universities stay adaptable in the face of rapidly evolving AI technologies?
The Future of AI in Higher Education (00:39:30)
- What potential does AI have to transform the learning experience in universities?
- How might AI-generated content change the way courses are designed and delivered?
- What role will AI play in shaping the future of admissions and enrollment processes?
- How can universities maintain their relevance and value proposition in an AI-driven world?
- - - -
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!
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.
Attend the 2025 Engage Summit!
The Engage Summit is the premier conference for forward-thinking leaders and practitioners dedicated to exploring the transformative power of AI in education. Explore the strategies and tools to step into the next generation of student engagement, supercharged by AI. You'll leave ready to deliver the most personalized digital engagement experience every step of the way.
Register now to secure your spot in Charlotte, NC, on June 24-25, 2025! Early bird registration ends February 1st -- https://engage.element451.com/register
AI Agents 101: The Building Blocks of Intelligent Student Engagement (part 1)
In this first episode of a two-part series, Generation AI explores the foundational concepts of proactive AI assistants and their potential impact on higher education. Hosts Ardis Kadiu and Petar Djordjevic break down the key components of AI agent systems, explaining how they differ from reactive systems and why they matter for the future of student engagement. They discuss the importance of memory, context, and goal-oriented behavior in AI agents, setting the stage for part two's deep dive into practical applications. This episode is essential listening for higher education professionals looking to understand the basics of AI agent systems before exploring their implementation in recruitment and student support.
Introduction to Proactive AI Assistants (00:00:06)
- Defining proactive AI assistants and AI agent systems
- How they differ from reactive AI systems
- The shift from simple tasks to complex, goal-oriented behaviors
Key Components of AI Agents (00:02:01)
- Large language models as the foundation
- The role of memory and context in AI reasoning
- Goal-oriented behavior and decision-making processes
Enhancing AI Performance (00:05:01)
- Techniques like chain of thought and few-shot learning
- The importance of examples in improving AI responses
- Balancing context window size with efficient information retrieval
Challenges in AI Agent Development (00:10:31)
- Managing complex tasks and multi-step processes
- Coordinating multiple specialized AI agents
- Ensuring relevant and timely responses from AI systems
The Concept of "Human on the Loop" (00:17:01)
- Balancing AI autonomy with human oversight
- The importance of human intervention in AI decision-making
- Ethical considerations in deploying AI agent systems
Preparing for Proactive AI in Higher Education (00:22:31)
- Potential applications in student engagement and recruitment
- The shift from mass communication to personalized interactions
- Setting the stage for AI-driven automation in education processes
Looking Ahead to Part 2 (00:29:01)
- Brief preview of practical applications in higher education
- Teaser for Element451's approach to implementing proactive AI assistants
- The potential impact on student recruitment and support strategies
- - - -
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!
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.
Attend the 2025 Engage Summit!
The Engage Summit is the premier conference for forward-thinking leaders and practitioners dedicated to exploring the transformative power of AI in education. Explore the strategies and tools to step into the next generation of student engagement, supercharged by AI. You'll leave ready to deliver the most personalized digital engagement experience every step of the way.
Register now to secure your spot in Charlotte, NC, on June 24-25, 2025! Early bird registration ends February 1st -- https://engage.element451.com/register
AI Agents in Action: Building Proactive AI Systems for Higher Ed (part 2)
In this second episode of a two-part series, Generation AI dives deep into the practical applications of proactive AI assistants in higher education. Hosts Ardis Kadiu and Petar Djordjevic discuss how Element451 is implementing AI agent systems to revolutionize student engagement and recruitment. They explore the transition from reactive to proactive AI, explaining how these systems can automate and personalize the entire student journey, from initial inquiry to enrollment.
The Evolution of AI Assistants in Higher Education (00:00:06)
- Transition from reactive to proactive AI systems
- The concept of AI "autopilots" in student engagement
- How proactive AI assistants can personalize the student journey
Current Challenges in Student Recruitment (00:03:45)
- Limitations of traditional marketing automation workflows
- The complexity of managing long-term student engagement
- Difficulties in personalizing communication at scale
Implementing Proactive AI Assistants (00:10:40)
- How AI can analyze student data and decide on next actions
- The role of large language models in understanding context
- Balancing automation with human oversight and intervention
Personalization at Scale: The Segment of One (00:18:06)
- Using AI to create truly personalized communication plans
- How proactive assistants can manage multiple goals simultaneously
- The importance of context and past interactions in decision-making
Technical Considerations and Challenges (00:25:23)
- Managing complex workflows and multi-step processes
- Integrating various communication channels (email, SMS, voice)
- Ensuring data privacy and security in AI-driven systems
The Future of AI in Higher Education Marketing (00:31:30)
- Potential for AI to replace traditional marketing campaigns
- How AI can augment and enhance human decision-making
- The importance of transparency and control in AI systems
Practical Implementation and Next Steps (00:34:10)
- Element451's approach to incorporating proactive AI assistants
- The importance of gradual implementation and testing
- How institutions can prepare for this new wave of AI technology
- - - -
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!
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.
Attend the 2025 Engage Summit!
The Engage Summit is the premier conference for forward-thinking leaders and practitioners dedicated to exploring the transformative power of AI in education. Explore the strategies and tools to step into the next generation of student engagement, supercharged by AI. You'll leave ready to deliver the most personalized digital engagement experience every step of the way.
Register now to secure your spot in Charlotte, NC, on June 24-25, 2025! Early bird registration ends February 1st -- https://engage.element451.com/register
AI in Cybersecurity: Inside the CrowdStrike Crash
In this episode of Generation AI, hosts JC Bonilla and Ardis Kadiu discuss a recent global tech incident involving CrowdStrike, a major cybersecurity company. They explore how a software update caused widespread system failures, affecting airlines, hospitals, and even judicial systems. The conversation covers the intersection of AI and cybersecurity, the complexities of modern software systems, and the potential risks and benefits of AI in security.
The CrowdStrike Incident
- Overview of the global tech glitch caused by a CrowdStrike security software update
- Discussion of the widespread impact on various industries, including airlines, hospitals, and judicial systems
- Comparison to the Y2K expectations and the reality of modern computer glitches
Understanding Enterprise Software Deployments
- Explanation of centrally managed IT systems in higher education and other enterprises
- Discussion of endpoint management and the challenges of remote software updates
- Insights into the vulnerabilities of large-scale software deployments
AI and Cybersecurity
- Exploration of how AI is used in modern cybersecurity software
- Discussion of machine learning models for detecting malware and unusual system behaviors
- Insights into the benefits and potential risks of AI-powered security systems
Software Testing and AI
- Overview of current software testing practices and their limitations
- Discussion of how AI can improve software testing through synthetic data generation
- Insights into the challenges of testing complex, interconnected systems
The Future of AI in Enterprise Software
- Exploration of potential AI applications in software deployment and monitoring
- Discussion of the concept of intelligent software systems and their potential impact
- Insights into the balance between the benefits of scale and the risks of system-wide failures
Open Source and Transparency in AI
- Brief mention of the importance of open source models in AI development
- Discussion of how transparency can help address some of the challenges in AI-powered systems
- - - -
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!
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.
Attend the 2025 Engage Summit!
The Engage Summit is the premier conference for forward-thinking leaders and practitioners dedicated to exploring the transformative power of AI in education. Explore the strategies and tools to step into the next generation of student engagement, supercharged by AI. You'll leave ready to deliver the most personalized digital engagement experience every step of the way.
Register now to secure your spot in Charlotte, NC, on June 24-25, 2025! Early bird registration ends February 1st -- https://engage.element451.com/register
Navigating AI Vendor Selection in Higher Ed
In this episode, we tackle a timely issue for our higher education friends: how to choose the right AI vendor. As you enter planning mode and vet potential partners, we share our insights on navigating the good and bad of AI vendor selection. We discuss the challenges of implementing emerging AI technologies, where possibilities are vast but proven successes are still unfolding. Using real-world examples, including a recent case from the Los Angeles Unified School District, we offer practical advice on what to consider when selecting AI partners. Whether you're launching new projects or expanding existing ones, this episode will help you make informed decisions in the rapidly evolving world of AI in higher education.
The Current AI Landscape in Higher Education
- Recognize that AI adoption in higher ed is still in early stages
- Understand that planning and vendor selection are crucial first steps
- Be aware that while AI possibilities are vast, proven use cases are still developing
Lessons from the LA Unified School District AI Project
- Large-scale AI projects carry significant risks
- Proper scoping and realistic expectations are essential
- Consider starting with smaller, focused AI initiatives before scaling up
Evaluating AI Vendors: Beyond the Hype
- Look past marketing buzz and focus on concrete AI capabilities
- Ask for specific, relevant examples of AI applications in higher ed
- Check references and speak with current clients about their experiences
Understanding the True Cost of AI Implementation
- Budget for hidden costs like integration and ongoing maintenance
- Consider long-term expenses, not just initial implementation costs
- Evaluate different pricing models to find the best fit for your institution
Data Considerations in AI Projects
- Assess your institution's data quality and quantity before starting AI projects
- Plan for data integration challenges with existing systems
- Prioritize student data privacy and security in all AI initiatives
The Value of Proof of Concepts (POCs)
- Use POCs to test AI capabilities in your specific environment
- Set clear, measurable goals and timelines for AI pilots
- Be prepared to learn from both successes and failures in POCs
Change Management and AI Adoption
- Prepare for organizational changes when implementing AI
- Involve stakeholders early in the AI adoption process
- View AI as a tool for transformation, not just process automation
Choosing the Right AI Partner for Your Institution
- Look for partners with higher education experience and understanding
- Prioritize vendors who offer both technological and strategic support
- Build partnerships based on shared goals and long-term vision
A Guide to Selecting the Perfect AI Chatbot
- - - -
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!
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.
Attend the 2025 Engage Summit!
The Engage Summit is the premier conference for forward-thinking leaders and practitioners dedicated to exploring the transformative power of AI in education. Explore the strategies and tools to step into the next generation of student engagement, supercharged by AI. You'll leave ready to deliver the most personalized digital engagement experience every step of the way.
Register now to secure your spot in Charlotte, NC, on June 24-25, 2025! Early bird registration ends February 1st -- https://engage.element451.com/register
Llama 3.1 Release, AI Avatars with AI Studio, Meta's Open Source Vision, Segment Anything 2 Model (SAM) Release
- 405 billion parameter model, largest open-source AI to date
- 128,000 token context length
- Multilingual support: French, German, Hindi, Italian, Spanish
- Trained on over 15 trillion tokens using 16,000 Nvidia H100 GPUs
- Performance competitive with GPT-4 and Claude 3.5 Sonnet
- More cost-efficient operation compared to competitors
- Platform for creating custom AI avatars without technical skills
- Users can design AIs for various purposes: humor, meme generation, travel advice
- Creators can use AI to answer common DMs and story replies
- Replaces previous attempt at celebrity AI chatbots
- Aim to democratize access to advanced AI technologies
- Partnerships with Amazon, Databricks, and Nvidia for infrastructure support
- Potential for synthetic data generation and model distillation
- Integrated safety features: Llama Guard 3 and Prompt Guard
- Aligns with U.S. policy discussions on open-source AI investment
Segment Anything 2 (SAM 2) Release
- Unified model for real-time object segmentation in images and videos
- State-of-the-art performance in promptable segmentation
- Open-sourced with Apache 2.0 license
- Includes SA-V dataset: 51,000 real-world videos, 600,000+ masklets
- Potential applications in video effects, creative tools, and data annotation
- - - -
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!
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.
Attend the 2025 Engage Summit!
The Engage Summit is the premier conference for forward-thinking leaders and practitioners dedicated to exploring the transformative power of AI in education. Explore the strategies and tools to step into the next generation of student engagement, supercharged by AI. You'll leave ready to deliver the most personalized digital engagement experience every step of the way.
Register now to secure your spot in Charlotte, NC, on June 24-25, 2025! Early bird registration ends February 1st -- https://engage.element451.com/register
Creating Interactive Apps for Better Teaching with Claude 3.5
This episode of Generation AI introduces Claude 3.5, Anthropic's latest AI model, and its new "artifacts" feature. Hosts JC Bonilla and Ardis Kadiu explore how Claude 3.5 can create interactive apps and visualizations, making complex topics like p-values easier to teach. They demonstrate Claude's ability to generate code, create web-based apps, and offer collaborative workspaces.
Introduction to Claude 3.5
- Overview of Anthropic's new AI model
- Comparison to GPT-4 and other AI models
- Discussion of Claude's improved writing and reasoning capabilities
The "Artifacts" Feature
- Explanation of Claude's new ability to create interactive content
- Examples of artifact types: code snippets, web apps, SVGs, and more
- How artifacts can be shared and collaborated on
Practical Application: Teaching P-Values
- Demonstration of Claude creating an interactive app to explain p-values
- Discussion of the "Surprise Party Planner" analogy for teaching statistics
- How AI-generated examples can make complex topics more relatable
Technical Capabilities of Claude's Artifacts
- Breakdown of the code generation process
- Explanation of the React-based web app created by Claude
- Discussion of Claude's ability to adapt and correct code based on feedback
Implications for Higher Education
- How AI tools like Claude can enhance teaching methods
- Potential for creating personalized learning materials
- Discussion of the time-saving aspects for educators
Collaboration and Version Control
- Overview of Claude's team collaboration features
- Explanation of version control for artifacts
- How these features can help in group projects and iterative learning
- - - -
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!
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.
Attend the 2025 Engage Summit!
The Engage Summit is the premier conference for forward-thinking leaders and practitioners dedicated to exploring the transformative power of AI in education. Explore the strategies and tools to step into the next generation of student engagement, supercharged by AI. You'll leave ready to deliver the most personalized digital engagement experience every step of the way.
Register now to secure your spot in Charlotte, NC, on June 24-25, 2025! Early bird registration ends February 1st -- https://engage.element451.com/register
The 5 Levels of AI: From Chatbots to Organizational Intelligence
This episode of Generation AI explores the five levels of artificial intelligence capabilities as defined by OpenAI. Hosts Ardis Kadiu and Dr. JC Bonilla discuss each level, from current chatbot technology to future AI that could run entire organizations. They explain how these advancements might change work, innovation, and society.
Introduction to AI Capability Levels
- OpenAI's framework for measuring AI progress
- Current AI technology at level 1 out of 5
- Overview of the five levels: chatbots, reasoners, agents, innovators, and organizations
Level 1: Chatbots and Conversational AI
- Current state of AI technology
- Capabilities of chatbots like GPT-3.5 and GPT-4
- Examples of how chatbots are used today
Level 2: Reasoners and Problem-Solving AI
- AI systems that can break down and solve complex problems
- Comparison to human problem-solving abilities
- Potential applications in various fields, including higher education
Level 3: Goal-Oriented AI Agents
- AI systems that can work independently towards specific goals
- Examples of potential uses, such as investment management
- Discussion of how this level could change the workplace
Level 4: AI Innovators and Invention
- AI capabilities for creating new solutions and inventions
- Potential impact on scientific research and technological advancement
- Examples of how AI could address global challenges
Level 5: AI Organizations
- The concept of AI systems running entire organizations
- Discussion of economic and social implications
- Exploration of how this could change business and employment
The Path to Artificial General Intelligence (AGI)
- Definition and characteristics of AGI
- Timeline predictions for achieving AGI
- Reference to Ray Kurzweil's work on technological singularity
- - - -
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!
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.
Attend the 2025 Engage Summit!
The Engage Summit is the premier conference for forward-thinking leaders and practitioners dedicated to exploring the transformative power of AI in education. Explore the strategies and tools to step into the next generation of student engagement, supercharged by AI. You'll leave ready to deliver the most personalized digital engagement experience every step of the way.
Register now to secure your spot in Charlotte, NC, on June 24-25, 2025! Early bird registration ends February 1st -- https://engage.element451.com/register
AI That Listens and Speaks: A Look at New Voice Models
In this episode, we explore the latest breakthroughs in AI voice models. We discuss how these new technologies are making AI assistants more human-like in their ability to listen, speak, and even interrupt conversations. We break down the technical aspects of real-time voice processing and explain how these models are trained using synthetic data. We also look at the Moshi model from Kuytai, an open-source project that's pushing the boundaries of what's possible with voice AI. Throughout the episode, we consider the implications of these advancements for higher education, including improved student support and engagement. If you're curious about how AI is becoming more conversational and what it means for the future of education, this episode is for you.
Introduction to Voice Models in AI
- We introduce the concept of voice models in AI and how they're evolving from simple text-to-speech to more complex, conversational systems.
- These new voice models are not just translating text to speech, but understanding and processing audio input directly, making interactions more natural and fluid.
Technical Advancements in Voice AI
- We delve into the technical aspects of recent advancements in voice AI, including real-time processing and multimodal understanding.
- The ability to process multiple audio streams simultaneously allows for more human-like interactions, including handling interruptions and context switching.
The Moshi Model by Kuytai
- We discuss the Moshi model, an open-source voice AI developed by Cutai, and its unique features.
- Moshi's development by a small team in just six months shows how AI innovation is becoming more accessible, potentially leading to faster advancements in the field.
Implications for Higher Education
- We explore how these new voice AI technologies could be applied in higher education settings.
- Voice AI could transform student support services, making them more accessible and personalized, while also opening up new possibilities for distance learning and accessibility.
The Future of AI Development
- We consider the broader implications of these advancements for the future of AI development.
- The use of synthetic data for training and the ability to create powerful models with smaller teams could lead to a boom in AI innovation, potentially changing the landscape of tech development.
- - - -
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!
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.
Attend the 2025 Engage Summit!
The Engage Summit is the premier conference for forward-thinking leaders and practitioners dedicated to exploring the transformative power of AI in education. Explore the strategies and tools to step into the next generation of student engagement, supercharged by AI. You'll leave ready to deliver the most personalized digital engagement experience every step of the way.
Register now to secure your spot in Charlotte, NC, on June 24-25, 2025! Early bird registration ends February 1st -- https://engage.element451.com/register
How AI is Changing Travel
This episode of Generation AI dives into how artificial intelligence is changing the travel industry. Hosts JC Bonilla and Ardis Kadiu share personal travel stories and discuss various ways AI is making trips smoother, from planning to problem-solving. They explore AI applications in flight bookings, airport security, electric vehicle travel, and language translation. The conversation highlights both current AI uses and potential future developments that could make traveling easier and more enjoyable.
AI in Travel Planning
- Discussion on using AI-powered apps like TripIt for travel organization
- Examples of how AI can help with itinerary creation and travel recommendations
Airport Experience and AI
- Exploration of AI's potential in improving airport security and reducing wait times
- Discussion on facial recognition technology for faster check-ins
AI and Flight Management
- Conversation about how AI could help with flight delays and cancellations
- Ideas for using AI to predict and manage travel disruptions
Electric Vehicles and AI
- Discussion on AI's role in planning EV road trips and managing charging stops
- Mention of self-driving capabilities in electric vehicles
Language Barriers and AI
- Examples of using AI for real-time translation during international travel
- Discussion on using ChatGPT for menu translations and local recommendations
Future of AI in Travel
- Conversation about potential AI developments in personalized travel experiences
- Discussion on the need for real-time, AI-powered travel assistance
Challenges and Limitations
- Mention of current limitations in AI travel applications
- Discussion on areas where human interaction is still necessary in travel
- - - -
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!
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.
Attend the 2025 Engage Summit!
The Engage Summit is the premier conference for forward-thinking leaders and practitioners dedicated to exploring the transformative power of AI in education. Explore the strategies and tools to step into the next generation of student engagement, supercharged by AI. You'll leave ready to deliver the most personalized digital engagement experience every step of the way.
Register now to secure your spot in Charlotte, NC, on June 24-25, 2025! Early bird registration ends February 1st -- https://engage.element451.com/register
Mapping the Mind of a LLM
This episode of Generation AI dives into a groundbreaking research paper on model interpretability in large language models. Dr. JC Bonilla and Ardis Kadiu discuss how this new understanding of AI's inner workings could change the landscape of AI safety, ethics, and reliability. They explore the similarities between human brain function and AI models, and how this research might help address concerns about AI bias and unpredictability. The conversation highlights why this matters for higher education professionals and how it could shape the future of AI in education. Listeners will gain key insights into the latest AI developments and their potential impact on the field.
Introduction to Model Interpretability
- Overview of the research paper "Mapping the Mind of a Large Language Model"
- Explanation of the black box problem in AI and why interpretability matters
Understanding AI's Inner Workings
- Comparison between human brain function and AI model processes
- Discussion of neurons, features, and dictionary learnings in AI models
Types of AI Features
- Exploration of concrete entities (e.g., people, countries)
- Abstract concepts and emotional features in AI models
- How these features influence AI outputs
Implications for AI Safety and Ethics
- Potential for improving AI reliability and reducing bias
- Discussion on the limitations of current safety measures
- How feature understanding could shape future AI development
Impact on Higher Education
- Addressing concerns about AI outputs in educational settings
- Potential for more trustworthy and ethical AI systems in education
- Future possibilities for AI in teaching and learning
Looking Ahead: The Future of AI
- Debate on whether this research will lead to artificial general intelligence
- Challenges in scaling interpretability to larger models
- The ongoing need for responsible AI development and deployment
- - - -
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!
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.
Attend the 2025 Engage Summit!
The Engage Summit is the premier conference for forward-thinking leaders and practitioners dedicated to exploring the transformative power of AI in education. Explore the strategies and tools to step into the next generation of student engagement, supercharged by AI. You'll leave ready to deliver the most personalized digital engagement experience every step of the way.
Register now to secure your spot in Charlotte, NC, on June 24-25, 2025! Early bird registration ends February 1st -- https://engage.element451.com/register
Rethinking Ads and Monetization in the Age of AI Search
In this episode, Ardis Kadiu and Dr. JC Bonilla discuss Google's recent rollout of AI Overviews in search results and its implications for content discovery, user experience, and online advertising. They explore the challenges posed by AI-generated summaries, such as the difficulty in distinguishing between factual information and satirical content. The hosts also delve into the potential impact on website traffic and the need for content creators and advertisers to adapt their strategies in response to this shift. Additionally, they touch on the implications for higher education marketing and the importance of focusing on outcomes and storytelling in this new AI-driven landscape.
Introduction
- Ardis and JC discuss their current projects and the concept of "deep work"
- They introduce the main topic: Google AI Overviews
Google AI Overviews Explained
- Background on Google's search summaries and the transition to AI Overviews
- Comparison to Perplexity and other AI-powered search tools
- The potential impact on website traffic and visibility
Challenges and Limitations
- Examples of inaccurate or misleading AI Overviews
- The difficulty in distinguishing between factual content and satire
- The role of user-generated content and the need for content restrictions
Implications for Advertising and Monetization
- The changing landscape of online advertising in the age of AI search
- The importance of capturing user attention within the search experience
- Potential new advertising models and the role of multimodal content
Impact on Higher Education Marketing
- The need to focus on outcomes and storytelling in marketing efforts
- The challenges of differentiating programs in an AI-driven search environment
- The importance of visual content and "humanizing" the student experience
The Changing Internet Landscape
- The current state of the internet and the prevalence of misinformation
- The potential for AI to exacerbate the spread of "dirty content"
- The need for regulation and the evolution of AI-powered platforms over time
Conclusion
- The unstable nature of AI-generated summaries and the need for adaptation
- The future of content discovery and the role of AI in shaping user experiences
- Closing thoughts and outro
- - - -
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!
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.
Attend the 2025 Engage Summit!
The Engage Summit is the premier conference for forward-thinking leaders and practitioners dedicated to exploring the transformative power of AI in education. Explore the strategies and tools to step into the next generation of student engagement, supercharged by AI. You'll leave ready to deliver the most personalized digital engagement experience every step of the way.
Register now to secure your spot in Charlotte, NC, on June 24-25, 2025! Early bird registration ends February 1st -- https://engage.element451.com/register
The Science Behind Viral Content: Cracking the Social Media Code
In this episode, JC Bonilla from VaynerMedia discusses the key ideas from Gary Vaynerchuk's new book "Day Trade Attention". The host explore how social media has become the prime space for building brand relevance and driving sales. JC breaks down how social media algorithms work, favoring native content and meaningful engagement. He emphasizes the importance of organic reach, cohort-based marketing, and using social media insights to inform larger ad campaigns. This episode is a must-listen for anyone looking to understand and leverage the power of social media marketing in today's attention economy.
Day Trading Attention
- Introducing the concept of "Day Trade Attention" from Gary Vaynerchuk's book
- Attention as the new asset in marketing; eyes, ears and wallet
- The evolution of Gary Vaynerchuk's marketing strategies from email to social media
Ocean Spray TikTok Case Study
- Analyzing the viral Ocean Spray TikTok video
- The interplay of social media, brand awareness, and influencer marketing
- How a single organic post can drive massive sales and brand relevance
Social Media Algorithms & Organic Reach
- How social media algorithms work to amplify relevant content
- The importance of native, contextual creative in social media
- Understanding "meaningful engagement" - comments, shares, saves
- How organic reach validates content before paid promotion
Cohort-Based Social Media Marketing
- Moving from follower count to relevance and engagement
- Identifying and targeting cohorts based on interests and behaviors
- Testing and iterating on content based on organic performance
- Scaling successful organic content into larger ad campaigns
From Social Media to Super Bowl: The Planters Peanuts Case Study
- How a LinkedIn poll inspired a Super Bowl ad campaign for Planters Peanuts
- Using social media insights to inform creative briefs and large-scale campaigns
- The power of social listening and engagement to drive marketing strategy
- - - -
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!
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.
Attend the 2025 Engage Summit!
The Engage Summit is the premier conference for forward-thinking leaders and practitioners dedicated to exploring the transformative power of AI in education. Explore the strategies and tools to step into the next generation of student engagement, supercharged by AI. You'll leave ready to deliver the most personalized digital engagement experience every step of the way.
Register now to secure your spot in Charlotte, NC, on June 24-25, 2025! Early bird registration ends February 1st -- https://engage.element451.com/register
Copilot for Your PC, Gemini Everywhere, and the Death of SEO
In this episode of Generation AI, hosts JC Bonilla and Ardis Kadiu dive into the recent Microsoft Build and Google IO conferences, which were dominated by announcements around artificial intelligence. Microsoft revealed its vision for AI-powered PCs with Copilot, while Google showcased Gemini, its most advanced AI model, being integrated across its product suite. These developments will change the way we interact with technology, from search and productivity to everyday life. They also explore the potential impact on digital marketing and SEO as generative AI transforms web search. Tune in to understand how the AI wars between tech giants are shaping the future and what it means for higher education.
Microsoft Build: AI Takes Center Stage
- Microsoft unveils Copilot for PCs, a native AI experience
- Copilot agents like Recall assist with productivity tasks
- Discussion on the implications of AI-enhanced computing
Google IO: Gemini Everywhere
- Google bounces back with Gemini, its most advanced AI model
- Gemini integrated across Workspace, Gmail, Photos, and more
- Introduction of Gemini Flash for faster, cheaper AI applications
The Future of Web Search and SEO
- How generative AI summaries could impact website traffic
- Changing business models for search engines and digital marketing
- The importance of high-quality website content in the AI era
Project Astra: Google's Universal AI Agent
- A helpful AI agent for everyday life, using multimodal input
- Real-time video analysis and wearable integration
- Comparison to Microsoft's agent-based approach with Copilot
Embracing AI in Higher Education
- The need for universities to adapt to the AI revolution
- Potential applications of AI in student engagement and learning
- Closing thoughts on staying informed and innovative with AI
- - - -
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!
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.
Attend the 2025 Engage Summit!
The Engage Summit is the premier conference for forward-thinking leaders and practitioners dedicated to exploring the transformative power of AI in education. Explore the strategies and tools to step into the next generation of student engagement, supercharged by AI. You'll leave ready to deliver the most personalized digital engagement experience every step of the way.
Register now to secure your spot in Charlotte, NC, on June 24-25, 2025! Early bird registration ends February 1st -- https://engage.element451.com/register
OpenAI Launches GPT-4o: Faster, Cheaper, and Free for All
In this episode of Generation AI, hosts Ardis Kadiu and Dr. JC Bonilla discuss OpenAI's launch of GPT-4o, a groundbreaking multimodal AI model. GPT-4o can accept and generate text, audio, images, and video, enabling more natural human-AI interactions. The model is faster, more capable, and half the price of its predecessor, GPT-4. Excitingly, GPT-4o will be freely available to all users of ChatGPT. Ardis and JC explore the potential applications of GPT-4o in higher education, such as real-time translation, interactive learning, and AI-assisted content creation. They emphasize the importance of AI literacy and encourage listeners to embrace these new technologies.
Introduction
- Hosts Ardis Kadiu and Dr. JC Bonilla introduce the episode's main topic: OpenAI's launch of GPT-4o.
GPT-4o: A Multimodal AI Model
- GPT-4o is a multimodal AI model that can accept and generate text, audio, images, and video.
- The model enables more natural human-AI interactions, responding to audio input in as little as 232 milliseconds.
Improved Performance and Accessibility
- GPT-4o is faster, more capable, and half the price of GPT-4.
- The model will be freely available to all users of ChatGPT, democratizing access to advanced AI.
Application examples
- Real-time translation for improved communication and collaboration.
- Interactive learning experiences, such as AI-assisted math tutoring.
- Enhanced content creation, like generating personalized stories and lullabies.
The Future of Human-AI Interaction
- OpenAI envisions a future where AI agents interact with humans through voice and video, similar to the movie "Her."
- Integration with existing platforms, such as Google Drive and Microsoft OneDrive, streamlines workflow.
Promoting AI Literacy
- The hosts emphasize the importance of AI literacy and encourage listeners to explore and share GPT-4o with students, family, and colleagues.
- As GPT-4o becomes more accessible, it has the potential to positively impact lives and drive innovation in 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!
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.
Attend the 2025 Engage Summit!
The Engage Summit is the premier conference for forward-thinking leaders and practitioners dedicated to exploring the transformative power of AI in education. Explore the strategies and tools to step into the next generation of student engagement, supercharged by AI. You'll leave ready to deliver the most personalized digital engagement experience every step of the way.
Register now to secure your spot in Charlotte, NC, on June 24-25, 2025! Early bird registration ends February 1st -- https://engage.element451.com/register
AI at Work Is Here
In this eye-opening episode, hosts JC Bonilla and Ardis Kadiu discuss Microsoft and LinkedIn's 2024 Work Trend Index report, which highlights the rapid adoption of AI in the workplace. With 75% of knowledge workers already using AI, and nearly half starting in the past 6 months, the future of work is undeniably AI-powered. They explore how AI is helping employees tackle the growing "digital debt" of emails, meetings, and after-hours work, while also becoming a crucial skill for career advancement. Employers are increasingly prioritizing AI aptitude over experience, yet only 39% of global AI users have received company-provided training. Tune in to learn why AI training is essential for both individual success and organizational transformation in the AI-driven workplace of 2024.
The AI Adoption Boom
- 75% of knowledge workers are using AI, with nearly half starting in the past 6 months
- AI usage spans across age groups, from Gen Z to Boomers
Tackling the Digital Debt
- Employees are using AI to cope with work overload and burnout
- AI helps manage the growing volume of emails, meetings, and after-hours work
AI Skills: The New Competitive Edge
- 66% of leaders wouldn't hire someone without AI skills
- AI aptitude is becoming more valuable than experience, especially for early-career talent
The Rise of AI Power Users
- AI power users are extremely familiar with AI and use it several times a week
- They save at least 30 minutes per day by using AI
The AI Training Gap
- Only 39% of global AI users have received company-provided training
- Leaders must prioritize AI training to drive efficiency gains and empower employees
Rethinking the Workplace Contract
- AI is shifting focus from the psychological "why" of work to the operational "how"
- Organizations must balance organic, bottom-up AI adoption with top-down AI strategy
2024 Work Trend Index Annual Report
- - - -
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!
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.
Attend the 2025 Engage Summit!
The Engage Summit is the premier conference for forward-thinking leaders and practitioners dedicated to exploring the transformative power of AI in education. Explore the strategies and tools to step into the next generation of student engagement, supercharged by AI. You'll leave ready to deliver the most personalized digital engagement experience every step of the way.
Register now to secure your spot in Charlotte, NC, on June 24-25, 2025! Early bird registration ends February 1st -- https://engage.element451.com/register
A Day in the Life with AI
In this episode of Generation AI, hosts Ardis and JC explore how artificial intelligence is being integrated into our daily routines to boost productivity and efficiency. They walk through a typical day, discussing AI applications for morning routines, work tasks, commuting, and evening activities. Key topics include using AI for sleep tracking, news summaries, wardrobe selection, meeting notes, project management, meal planning, and autonomous driving. Ardis and JC share their personal experiences and insights on how AI is making life easier and more optimized. Tune in to learn practical ways you can start leveraging AI to streamline your own daily grind.
- - - -
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!
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.
Attend the 2025 Engage Summit!
The Engage Summit is the premier conference for forward-thinking leaders and practitioners dedicated to exploring the transformative power of AI in education. Explore the strategies and tools to step into the next generation of student engagement, supercharged by AI. You'll leave ready to deliver the most personalized digital engagement experience every step of the way.
Register now to secure your spot in Charlotte, NC, on June 24-25, 2025! Early bird registration ends February 1st -- https://engage.element451.com/register
Custom GPTs are the New Productivity Hack for Enterprises
In this episode of Generation AI, hosts Ardis Kadiu and JC Bonilla explore the growing trend of custom GPTs and how they're being used by enterprises to boost productivity and streamline workflows. They discuss Moderna's impressive adoption of 750 custom GPTs across their organization, from optimizing vaccine doses to other key functions. Ardis shares his experience building custom GPTs for the Generation AI podcast to automate tasks like generating summaries and show notes. The hosts also discuss into OpenAI's vision for the future of AI agents and assistants. This episode is a must-listen for anyone interested in leveraging custom AI tools to work smarter and more efficiently.
Introduction
- Ardis and JC catch up and discuss the growing buzz around AI agents and assistants
- Ardis mentions his recent workshop at the NAGAP conference on building custom GPTs
Custom GPTs 101
- What are custom GPTs and how do they work?
- Ardis explains how custom GPTs can be tailored with specific instructions, personality, and knowledge
- The benefits of using custom GPTs to automate repetitive tasks and maintain brand voice
Moderna's AI Success Story
- Moderna's adoption of ChatGPT Enterprise and custom GPTs
- 750 custom GPTs used across various functions, from optimizing vaccine doses to other key areas
- 80% adoption rate and 120 conversations per user per week
Custom GPTs in Action
- How Ardis uses custom GPTs to produce the Generation AI podcast
- JC's custom GPTs: JC Escritor for casual communication and JC Ethos for serious academic writing
- Using custom GPTs for brainstorming, ideation, and adapting communication styles
Building Your Own Custom GPTs
- Different types of custom GPTs: task runners, custom instructions, expert personas
- Key components of a custom GPT: instructions, data, steps, definitions, disallowed actions, consequences, personality
- The art and science of crafting effective custom GPTs
The Future of AI Agents
- OpenAI's vision for AI agents and the custom GPT store
- The potential for custom GPTs to power AI assistants and transform workflows across industries
- Ardis's upcoming course on prompt engineering and building custom GPTs
- - - -
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!
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.
Attend the 2025 Engage Summit!
The Engage Summit is the premier conference for forward-thinking leaders and practitioners dedicated to exploring the transformative power of AI in education. Explore the strategies and tools to step into the next generation of student engagement, supercharged by AI. You'll leave ready to deliver the most personalized digital engagement experience every step of the way.
Register now to secure your spot in Charlotte, NC, on June 24-25, 2025! Early bird registration ends February 1st -- https://engage.element451.com/register
Rethinking University Websites: The Future of AI-Powered Knowledge Discovery
In this episode, hosts JC Bonilla and Ardis Kadiu explore how AI is disrupting traditional search and revolutionizing knowledge discovery in higher education. They discuss Element451's groundbreaking AI search tool, which combines the power of large language models with university-specific content to provide students with a highly personalized, engaging search experience. The conversation highlights how this new approach could potentially replace static university websites, increase student engagement, and transform the attention economy in higher ed marketing.
AI's Impact on Search and Knowledge Discovery
- Discussion of how AI models like ChatGPT are changing the way we search for and discover information
- Introduction to tools like Perplexity AI that combine large language models with web search capabilities
Element451's AI Search Tool
- Overview of Element451's innovative AI search experience for university websites
- Explanation of how the tool uses AI to provide personalized, context-aware search results
- Discussion of the tool's ability to incorporate multimedia content like videos and images
Transforming University Websites and Student Engagement
- Analysis of how AI-powered search could potentially replace traditional, static university websites
- Exploration of how this new approach could dramatically increase student engagement and time spent on university sites
- Insights into how AI search creates a non-linear, "choose your own adventure" experience for students
The Attention Economy and the Future of Higher Ed Marketing
- Discussion of how relevance and personalization drive engagement in the attention economy
- Thoughts on how AI search could be a game-changer for higher ed marketing by capturing and holding student attention
- Predictions for how AI will continue to transform the student experience and university marketing in the coming years
- - - -
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!
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.
Attend the 2025 Engage Summit!
The Engage Summit is the premier conference for forward-thinking leaders and practitioners dedicated to exploring the transformative power of AI in education. Explore the strategies and tools to step into the next generation of student engagement, supercharged by AI. You'll leave ready to deliver the most personalized digital engagement experience every step of the way.
Register now to secure your spot in Charlotte, NC, on June 24-25, 2025! Early bird registration ends February 1st -- https://engage.element451.com/register
Meta's AI Strategy: From Open Source Models to Integrated Experiences
In this episode, JC and Ardis discuss Meta's recent AI announcements, including the release of Llama 3, the best open source AI model available, and the introduction of Meta AI assistants across their products. They explore how these developments are transforming social media interactions and enabling more seamless AI experiences. The conversation also touches on the concept of "brandformance," linking brand and performance marketing using AI, and the potential of AI-powered wearables like Meta's Ray-Ban glasses. Tune in to learn about Meta's comprehensive AI strategy and its implications for the future of social media and augmented reality.
Meta's Llama 3 Open Source AI Model
- Llama 3 is currently the best open source AI model available
- It approaches and sometimes beats the performance of smaller closed-source models like Claude 3 Sonet
- Open source models enable faster innovation and more accessible AI integration for various use cases
Meta AI Assistants Across Products
- Meta is introducing AI assistants across their ecosystem, including WhatsApp, Facebook, Instagram, and their feed
- These assistants provide context-aware support, allowing users to interact with content more effectively
- AI assistants in social media feeds can help users engage with posts, videos, and articles without leaving the platform
Brandformance: Linking Brand and Performance Marketing
- Brandformance is a strategy that combines brand marketing with performance marketing
- It involves creating viral, organic social media content that subtly promotes a product or brand
- This approach can be more cost-effective than traditional top-of-the-funnel marketing methods like Super Bowl ads
AI-Powered Wearables: Meta's Ray-Ban Glasses
- Meta's Ray-Ban glasses integrate AI capabilities into a stylish, accessible wearable
- The glasses offer features like voice-activated assistance, photo and video capture, and integration with other apps
- The success of these glasses depends on factors like pricing, functionality, and social perception
The Future of AI in Social Media and Beyond
- Meta's AI strategy demonstrates the growing importance of AI in social media and other industries
- As AI becomes more integrated into our daily lives, it will transform how we interact with technology and each other
- The development of AI assistants and open source models will continue to drive innovation and accessibility in the field
- - - -
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!
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.
Attend the 2025 Engage Summit!
The Engage Summit is the premier conference for forward-thinking leaders and practitioners dedicated to exploring the transformative power of AI in education. Explore the strategies and tools to step into the next generation of student engagement, supercharged by AI. You'll leave ready to deliver the most personalized digital engagement experience every step of the way.
Register now to secure your spot in Charlotte, NC, on June 24-25, 2025! Early bird registration ends February 1st -- https://engage.element451.com/register
How ASU is Embracing AI to Lead the Way
In this visionary episode of Generation AI, Lev Gonick, CIO at Arizona State University, shares how ASU is harnessing the power of artificial intelligence to revolutionize higher education. From personalized student support to cutting-edge research, AI is driving innovation across the university. Lev discusses ASU's groundbreaking partnership with OpenAI, which empowers faculty, staff, and students to develop AI solutions that enhance learning and improve efficiency. He also teases an exciting sneak peek into the capabilities of GPT-5, the next generation of language models. Tune in to discover how ASU is paving the way for a smarter, more accessible future in higher education.
Guest Name: Lev Gonick, Enterprise CIO, Arizona State University
Guest Social: https://www.linkedin.com/in/levgonick/
- - - -
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!
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.
Attend the 2025 Engage Summit!
The Engage Summit is the premier conference for forward-thinking leaders and practitioners dedicated to exploring the transformative power of AI in education. Explore the strategies and tools to step into the next generation of student engagement, supercharged by AI. You'll leave ready to deliver the most personalized digital engagement experience every step of the way.
Register now to secure your spot in Charlotte, NC, on June 24-25, 2025! Early bird registration ends February 1st -- https://engage.element451.com/register
Business Models for AI: Who Pays for the Revolution?
In this episode of Generation AI, hosts JC Bonilla and Ardis Kadiu explore the complex world of business models for artificial intelligence products and services. They discuss recent developments with Google and OpenAI, and break down the various pricing strategies being employed, from free access to premium subscriptions. Ardis shares insights from his experience building AI into Element's higher ed CRM platform. The conversation covers key considerations for monetizing AI, including understanding customer needs, value creation, and strategic pricing. JC outlines eight potential business models, from "AI-first" paradigms to open source approaches. This episode is a must-listen for anyone looking to understand the financial side of the AI revolution.
Introduction (00:00:00)
- JC opens the episode and introduces the topic of AI business models
- Ardis comments on JC's hosting skills
Google and OpenAI News (00:02:13)
- OpenAI makes ChatGPT accessible without an account
- Discussion of OpenAI's motivations and competition with Google
- Google introduces generative search and the changing user behavior
- Comparison of Google and OpenAI's business models
Business Model Fundamentals (00:07:27)
- Three key aspects: customer needs, value creation, pricing
- How Ardis approached the business model for Element
- Balancing cost and differentiators in pricing
Macro Forces in Business Models (00:10:21)
- Subscription pricing, consumption pricing, and embedded pricing
- How Element approaches pricing for its AI features
- Comparison to other AI-powered business tools
AI Business Models in the CRM Space (00:14:17)
- Impact of generative AI on SaaS pricing
- Microsoft Copilot, Google Gemini, Salesforce Einstein pricing
- Element's approach to embedding AI without additional costs
Eight AI Business Models (00:17:14)
- "AI-First" Paradigm: Embracing AI as a core venture
- Subscription Model: AI as a service with scalable pricing
- Feedback Loop Model: Personalization improves with usage
- Ecosystem Model: Interconnected solutions and diversified revenue
- Global Solutions, Local Partners: Transfer learning across regions
- Open Source Models: Community collaboration and customization
- Uncharted Territories: Adapting and evolving models like Slack
Element's AI Strategy (00:42:45)
- Building AI into the platform and figuring out monetization
- Aligning technology costs with delivered value over time
- Excitement for upcoming developments and need for more discussion
Conclusion (00:44:39)
- Recap of the eight business model variations discussed
- Call to action for listeners to consider AI pricing from both consumer and business perspectives
- Ardis signs off and plugs the Enrollify podcast network
- - - -
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!
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.
Attend the 2025 Engage Summit!
The Engage Summit is the premier conference for forward-thinking leaders and practitioners dedicated to exploring the transformative power of AI in education. Explore the strategies and tools to step into the next generation of student engagement, supercharged by AI. You'll leave ready to deliver the most personalized digital engagement experience every step of the way.
Register now to secure your spot in Charlotte, NC, on June 24-25, 2025! Early bird registration ends February 1st -- https://engage.element451.com/register
Leading with AI: Strategic Insights for Higher Ed CMOs
In this episode, Ardis chats with CMO Michael Bettersworth live at the ASU+GSV AIR Show about the impactful integration of AI in higher education. Michael shares insights from Texas State Technical College’s approach to leveraging technology in marketing and student support, discussing both the potential and challenges of AI in the current educational landscape. The conversation also highlights the importance of aligning new technologies with institutional goals to enhance both student and administrative experiences.
Guest Name: Michael Bettersworth, Chief Marketing Officer, Texas State Technical College
Guest Social: https://www.linkedin.com/in/bettersworth/
- - - -
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!
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.
Attend the 2025 Engage Summit!
The Engage Summit is the premier conference for forward-thinking leaders and practitioners dedicated to exploring the transformative power of AI in education. Explore the strategies and tools to step into the next generation of student engagement, supercharged by AI. You'll leave ready to deliver the most personalized digital engagement experience every step of the way.
Register now to secure your spot in Charlotte, NC, on June 24-25, 2025! Early bird registration ends February 1st -- https://engage.element451.com/register
Embracing AI Without Fear: Preparing Students for a Tech-Driven Future
Live from the ASU+GSV AIR Show, Ardis Kadiu interviews Pamela Luckett-Smith, Chief Digital Engagement Officer at Dallas College, about the transformative role of AI in education. Pamela shares her expertise on integrating AI into the curriculum to ensure students are not only prepared but also proactive in their approach to future technological landscapes. The discussion focuses on breaking down barriers and fears associated with AI, highlighting how community colleges play a crucial role in technological inclusivity.
Key Takeaways:
- AI as an Empowerment Tool: Pamela highlights how AI serves as a critical resource for enhancing student skills and readiness for the evolving job market.
- Reducing AI Intimidation: Discusses the need for accessible AI education that bridges the gap between fear and familiarity, ensuring no student is left behind.
- Curriculum Integration: Insights into how AI can be seamlessly incorporated into educational programs to enhance critical thinking and analytical skills.
- Advancing AI Literacy: Urges higher education leaders to promote AI literacy and adaptability among both students and the wider community.
- - - -
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!
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.
Attend the 2025 Engage Summit!
The Engage Summit is the premier conference for forward-thinking leaders and practitioners dedicated to exploring the transformative power of AI in education. Explore the strategies and tools to step into the next generation of student engagement, supercharged by AI. You'll leave ready to deliver the most personalized digital engagement experience every step of the way.
Register now to secure your spot in Charlotte, NC, on June 24-25, 2025! Early bird registration ends February 1st -- https://engage.element451.com/register
Will AI take our jobs?
Will AI take our jobs? It's the question on everyone's mind as AI races forward. In this episode, we explore AI's potential impact on work in higher education.
We discuss the evolution of roles, the rise of AI assistants, and the growing gap between cutting-edge tech and day-to-day realities in academia. One thing is clear: Embracing AI is essential for career survival.
AI and Job Evolution
- Discussion on whether AI will lead to job erosion or evolution
- Historical perspective on how jobs have transformed over time
- The need for workers to adapt and upskill in the face of AI advancements
AI Adoption in the Workplace
- Two camps: those who reject AI and those who embrace it
- The potential of AI to enhance productivity and enable higher-level work
- The implications of AI for various industries and job roles
The Future of AI and AGI
- The timeline for the development of Artificial General Intelligence (AGI)
- The potential impact of AGI on knowledge work and creative professions
- Strategies for individuals to prepare for the AI-driven future of work
AI Capabilities and Limitations
- Current limitations of AI, such as memory and multimodal reasoning
- Expectations for AI advancements in the near future (2024-2026)
- The emergence of AI agents and their potential to disrupt enterprises
Embracing AI for Career Success
- The widening gap between AI technology and workplace practices
- The importance of adopting AI to remain competitive in the job market
- Final thoughts on the need to upskill and make AI a companion in one's career journey
- - - -
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!
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.
Attend the 2025 Engage Summit!
The Engage Summit is the premier conference for forward-thinking leaders and practitioners dedicated to exploring the transformative power of AI in education. Explore the strategies and tools to step into the next generation of student engagement, supercharged by AI. You'll leave ready to deliver the most personalized digital engagement experience every step of the way.
Register now to secure your spot in Charlotte, NC, on June 24-25, 2025! Early bird registration ends February 1st -- https://engage.element451.com/register
AI Assistants: Your New Team Members in Higher Ed
In this episode of Generation AI, hosts Ardis Kadiu and Dr. JC Bonilla explore the exciting world of AI assistants and how they're transforming higher education. Inspired by the groundbreaking AI software engineer, Devon, Ardis shares how Element is creating AI team members to revolutionize student engagement and staff productivity. From AI academic advisors to copywriters and data analysts, these assistants are personalizing the student experience and empowering staff to do the work of five. Discover how AI is reshaping the future of work in higher ed and why you need these powerful tools on your team.
Introduction to AI Assistants (00:00:00)
- Definition and capabilities of AI assistants
- How they differ from chatbots and AI agents
Devon: The AI Software Engineer (00:03:28)
- Overview of Devon and its problem-solving abilities
- Potential applications in higher education
Element's AI Assistant Revolution (00:13:33)
- The evolution of Element's AI chatbots
- Building AI team members for different roles and personas
- Orchestrating AI assistants to work together seamlessly
Empowering Staff with AI Assistants (00:21:23)
- How AI assistants augment staff productivity
- Examples of AI team members for marketing, advising, and more
- Balancing AI assistance with human oversight
The Future of AI in Higher Education (00:32:20)
- Expectations for advancements in AI reasoning capabilities
- Potential use cases for AI in admissions and advising
- How AI assistants will reshape software and the student experience
Conclusion (00:40:06)
- Key components of AI assistants: reasoning, memory, tools, and personality
- The importance of team augmentation and empowerment with AI
- What to expect from Element's AI assistant platform in the near future
- - - -
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!
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.
Attend the 2025 Engage Summit!
The Engage Summit is the premier conference for forward-thinking leaders and practitioners dedicated to exploring the transformative power of AI in education. Explore the strategies and tools to step into the next generation of student engagement, supercharged by AI. You'll leave ready to deliver the most personalized digital engagement experience every step of the way.
Register now to secure your spot in Charlotte, NC, on June 24-25, 2025! Early bird registration ends February 1st -- https://engage.element451.com/register
Microsoft's New Acquisition, GPT-5's Summer Debut, and NVIDIA's Game-Changer Blackwell
In this action-packed episode, we discuss the implications of Apple and Google's potential AI partnership for on-device capabilities, Microsoft's strategic acquisition of Inflection AI to bolster their AI offerings, the upcoming release of GPT-5 and its potential impact, Elon Musk's decision to open-source Grok, and NVIDIA's powerful new Blackwell GPU.
Apple & Google's AI Partnership
- Apple licensing Google's Gemini models for iPhones
- Implications for privacy and on-device AI capabilities
- Potential impact on consumer AI experiences
Microsoft's Strategic Acquisition of Inflection AI
- Microsoft hires Inflection AI founder Mustafa Suleiman and team
- Strengthening Microsoft's AI capabilities beyond OpenAI partnership
- Integrating Inflection AI's technology into Microsoft's AI ecosystem
GPT-5 & OpenAI's Upcoming Releases
- Leaks suggest GPT-5 arriving this summer with significant improvements
- Sam Altman teases GPT-5's capabilities and future OpenAI releases
- Implications for AI-powered products and services
Open Source Developments: Grok & Beyond
- Elon Musk's xAI releases Grok as open source
- Importance of open source models in democratizing AI
- Potential impact on competition and innovation in the AI space
NVIDIA's AI Infrastructure Breakthroughs
- NVIDIA announces Blackwell GPU series for AI workloads
- Project GRoot: AI platform for robotics and humanoid machines
- The critical role of AI hardware in enabling generative AI advancements
AI Assistants Expanding to New Platforms
- Meta introduces AI assistant for WhatsApp
- Potential applications for enhanced user experiences and productivity
- The growing prevalence of AI assistants across various platforms and industries
- - - -
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!
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.
Attend the 2025 Engage Summit!
The Engage Summit is the premier conference for forward-thinking leaders and practitioners dedicated to exploring the transformative power of AI in education. Explore the strategies and tools to step into the next generation of student engagement, supercharged by AI. You'll leave ready to deliver the most personalized digital engagement experience every step of the way.
Register now to secure your spot in Charlotte, NC, on June 24-25, 2025! Early bird registration ends February 1st -- https://engage.element451.com/register
From SQL to AI: Transforming Your Technical Team for the Future
In this insightful episode of Generation AI, hosts Ardis Kadiu and Dr. JC Bonilla dive deep into the practical steps for organizations to become AI-ready. They discuss the importance of transforming data into knowledge bases using vector databases and the role of cloud infrastructure in this process. The conversation also touches on the skills and mindset required for technical teams to adapt to AI, emphasizing the significance of AI literacy over technical know-how. Ardis and JC provide valuable advice on selecting the right AI use cases for a proof of concept and the key considerations for choosing an AI infrastructure such as security, bias, and team readiness.
Introduction
- Ardis and JC catch up and discuss VaynerMedia's recent award and upcoming Engage conference
AI Readiness: Transforming Data into Knowledge Bases
- Types of data: structured, semi-structured, and unstructured
- Vector databases and semantic databases for storing and retrieving AI-ready data
- Transforming data into embeddings using AI models
Choosing the Right AI Infrastructure
- Cloud infrastructure options: Google, AWS, Microsoft
- Open-source alternatives: WeV8 for vector databases
- Considerations for selecting an AI infrastructure
Building AI Assistants and Conversational Interfaces
- White-label chatbot frameworks and APIs
- Open-source libraries for building AI assistants: Langchain and LAMA index
- Productizing AI assistants and focusing on defining behavior rather than mechanics
Transforming Your Technical Team for AI
- Assessing core competencies and deciding between building in-house or outsourcing
- The importance of AI literacy over technical know-how
- Fostering a hunger for growth and evolution among technical team members
Launching Your First AI Proof of Concept
- Defining a narrow, focused use case that solves a gap or automates a repeatable process
- Example use cases for higher education: admissions rubrics, IT helpdesk knowledge bases, semantic search for course descriptions
- Key ingredients for a successful AI proof of concept
Conclusion
- Recap of the AI readiness playbook
- The importance of addressing data security and AI bias (to be discussed in a future episode)
- - - -
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!
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.
Attend the 2025 Engage Summit!
The Engage Summit is the premier conference for forward-thinking leaders and practitioners dedicated to exploring the transformative power of AI in education. Explore the strategies and tools to step into the next generation of student engagement, supercharged by AI. You'll leave ready to deliver the most personalized digital engagement experience every step of the way.
Register now to secure your spot in Charlotte, NC, on June 24-25, 2025! Early bird registration ends February 1st -- https://engage.element451.com/register
The Evolution of Dashboards: From Static to AI-Powered Insights
In this episode of Generation AI, hosts Ardis Kadiu and Dr. JC Bonilla dive into the evolution of dashboards and how AI is transforming the way higher education leaders interact with and derive insights from data. They explore the limitations of traditional dashboards and discuss how generative AI is empowering users to ask questions in natural language, receive personalized insights, and make data-driven decisions. The episode highlights the importance of data trust, the role of AI in anomaly detection, and the potential for AI-powered dashboards to provide predictive and proactive insights. Listeners will gain a deeper understanding of how AI is revolutionizing business intelligence in higher education and why it matters for leaders looking to navigate the future of data-driven decision-making.
The Evolution of Dashboards
- Dashboards have evolved from static decision support systems (DSS) in the 1960s to modern business intelligence (BI) tools.
- Traditional dashboards require significant work, suffer from adoption issues, and often lack stickiness.
- The profession of reporting and the art of dashboarding are still developing in higher education.
Components of Dashboards in Higher Education
- Data sources (SIS, CRMs, Excel spreadsheets) and visualization layers (Tableau, Power BI, Google Looker) are key components.
- Higher education institutions often lack dedicated professionals to balance data sources and visualization.
- Data silos and the need for data warehousing or data lakes remain challenges for many institutions.
The Role of Semantic Search and AI in Dashboards
- Semantic search allows users to query data sources using natural language, making dashboards more accessible.
- AI presents opportunities for more dynamic data sources, narratives, and personalized KPIs.
- Generative AI can automatically create and update visualizations based on user queries and data patterns.
Anomaly Detection and Enhanced Understanding with AI
- AI-powered dashboards can detect both positive and negative anomalies, providing proactive notifications.
- Multimodal models and conversational chatbots can enhance understanding by interpreting visuals and providing context.
- AI can be trained to perform sentiment analysis, benchmarking, and predictive analytics on dashboard data.
Personalization and the Future of AI-Powered Dashboards
- AI enables personalized insights based on user roles, data access, and cognitive preferences.
- The future of dashboards may eliminate the need for static visualizations, focusing on natural language queries and AI-generated insights.
- AI-powered dashboards will offer real-time customization, prediction, enhancement, notifications, and adaptive features to empower data-driven decision-making in 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!
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.
Attend the 2025 Engage Summit!
The Engage Summit is the premier conference for forward-thinking leaders and practitioners dedicated to exploring the transformative power of AI in education. Explore the strategies and tools to step into the next generation of student engagement, supercharged by AI. You'll leave ready to deliver the most personalized digital engagement experience every step of the way.
Register now to secure your spot in Charlotte, NC, on June 24-25, 2025! Early bird registration ends February 1st -- https://engage.element451.com/register
Beyond the Hype: A Deep Dive into the Inner Workings of Conversational AI Chatbots
On this episode of Generation AI, we take a deep dive into the world of conversational AI chatbots and their transformative impact on higher education. The discussion traces the evolution of chatbots from simple, rule-based systems to the sophisticated, AI-powered agents of today. Ardis breaks down the inner workings of modern chatbots, explaining concepts like retrieval augmented generation (RAG), multilingual capabilities, and the integration of AI with institutional databases and APIs. We also explore the future of AI assistants, envisioning goal-oriented, autonomous agents that can personalize the student experience and boost productivity. Packed with expert insights and real-world examples, this episode is a must-listen for any higher ed professional looking to harness the power of AI for student engagement, support, and success.
The Evolution of Chatbots in Higher Education
- From live chat to rule-based systems to AI-powered agents
- The limitations of early chatbots and the breakthrough of GPT-4 and Claude
- Real-world impact: Klarna's success story with OpenAI chatbot
How Modern AI Chatbots Work
- The role of large language models (LLMs) as the "brain" of chatbots
- Retrieval augmented generation (RAG) and the importance of knowledge bases
- Semantic search, vector databases, and the encoding of domain knowledge
- Multilinguality in chatbots: Understanding and generating responses across languages
AI Assistants: Beyond Question Answering
- Integrating chatbots with institutional APIs and databases for personalized responses
- The concept of "agents" or "skills" - teaching chatbots to perform specific tasks
- Permission levels and fail-safe mechanisms in AI assistants
- Consistency and information fidelity in AI-generated responses
The Future of AI in Higher Education
- Goal-oriented AI assistants for marketing, student support, and academic advising
- Personalized student journeys and "nudges" powered by AI
- The importance of strategic planning and informed decision-making in AI adoption
- Balancing the build vs. buy decision and ensuring seamless integration with existing systems
Key Takeaways for Higher Ed Leaders
- Identifying repetitive tasks and processes that can be automated with AI
- Evaluating chatbot solutions based on their knowledge bases, skills, and integration capabilities
- Empowering AI assistants to deliver personalized, engaging student experiences at scale
- Staying informed about the latest developments in AI and their implications for 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!
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.
Attend the 2025 Engage Summit!
The Engage Summit is the premier conference for forward-thinking leaders and practitioners dedicated to exploring the transformative power of AI in education. Explore the strategies and tools to step into the next generation of student engagement, supercharged by AI. You'll leave ready to deliver the most personalized digital engagement experience every step of the way.
Register now to secure your spot in Charlotte, NC, on June 24-25, 2025! Early bird registration ends February 1st -- https://engage.element451.com/register
Google's Image AI Bias, Stable Diffusion 3, New video models, LLMs (Llama3, Gemma, Mistral)
This episode of Generation AI dives into the latest AI developments, focusing on the competition between large language models like Gemma, Mistral, and Meta's Llama 3. It explores advancements in video and image AI, highlighting Stable Diffusion 3, Alibaba's EMO model, and Pika Labs' lip sync feature. The main discussion centers on the controversy surrounding Google's image-generation tool, examining the cultural and ethical implications of AI-generated content. The episode provides insights into the rapid evolution of AI technology and its impact on society and higher education.
Battle of the LLMs
- Overview of Large Language Models (LLMs): The discussion starts with the latest developments in LLMs, focusing on open-source models like Gemma and the introduction of the Mistral model.
- Meta's Llama 3: A deep dive into Meta's latest release, Llama 3, exploring its capabilities, improvements over previous versions, and potential applications in various industries.
Next-Gen Video & Image AI
- Stable Diffusion 3: Examination of how Stable Diffusion 3 is pushing the boundaries of image generation with simplified prompting techniques.
- Alibaba's EMO Model: Overview of Alibaba's contribution to synthetic video generation with the EMO model, highlighting its unique features and potential use cases.
- Pika Labs' Lip Sync Feature: Insight into Pika Labs' innovative lip sync feature, which enhances the realism of generated video content, especially in applications requiring synced audio and video.
Google's "Woke" AI War
- Controversy Surrounding Google's Image Generation Tool: The episode culminates with a detailed discussion on the controversy Google faces with its image generation tool, focusing on accusations of cultural bias and the broader implications for AI ethics.
- Cultural and Ethical Implications: Further exploration into how this controversy reflects larger debates within the tech industry regarding AI's role in society, cultural sensitivity, and the responsibilities of AI developers.
- - - -
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!
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.
Attend the 2025 Engage Summit!
The Engage Summit is the premier conference for forward-thinking leaders and practitioners dedicated to exploring the transformative power of AI in education. Explore the strategies and tools to step into the next generation of student engagement, supercharged by AI. You'll leave ready to deliver the most personalized digital engagement experience every step of the way.
Register now to secure your spot in Charlotte, NC, on June 24-25, 2025! Early bird registration ends February 1st -- https://engage.element451.com/register
Predictive AI: The Art and Science of Student Engagement
This episode of the Generation AI podcast delves into the evolution and application of predictive AI within higher education, focusing on enrollment predictions and marketing. Hosts Ardis Kadiu and Dr. JC Bonilla explore machine learning's roots, its distinction from generative AI, and its critical role in modeling prospective student behaviors. They discuss the transition from demographic to behavioral data for more accurate predictions, the importance of model tuning and validation, and the future of AI in personalizing student engagement through autonomous agents. The conversation highlights the blend of art and science in feature selection and the significance of adopting models that are understood and trusted by users.
Introduction to Predictive AI
- Hosts Ardis Kadiu and Dr. JC Bonilla delve into predictive AI's history and its application in higher education, focusing on enrollment and marketing.
- They discuss predictive AI's evolution from advanced analytics and machine learning (ML) to its current state.
Machine Learning Basics
- Explanation of machine learning as pattern recognition and its importance in predictive AI.
- The transition from demographic to behavioral data for improved predictions.
Model Building and Validation
- The process of model building, including feature selection, training, and validation.
- The importance of model tuning and validation for accurate predictions.
Behavioral Data in Predictive Models
Shift towards using behavioral data for more nuanced and accurate predictions.
How behavioral data surpasses demographic data in predicting student behaviors and interests.
Feature Engineering and Selection
- The art and science of selecting the right features for predictive models.
- Discussion on the significance of domain knowledge in feature selection.
Model Adoption and Interpretation
- Challenges in model adoption and the importance of model interpretability for end-users.
- How understanding and trust in the model's predictions are crucial for successful implementation.
Future of Predictive AI in Higher Education
- Insights into the future of predictive AI, focusing on personalized student engagement and autonomous agents.
- The potential of large language models and AI agents in transforming higher education marketing and enrollment strategies.
Remember to follow us on your favorite podcast platform to not miss any episodes of "Generation AI." Reach out with any questions or topics you'd like us to cover in future episodes. We thrive on your feedback and are here to offer insights that resonate with you. Thank you for joining us on this AI journey!
- - - -
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!
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.
Attend the 2025 Engage Summit!
The Engage Summit is the premier conference for forward-thinking leaders and practitioners dedicated to exploring the transformative power of AI in education. Explore the strategies and tools to step into the next generation of student engagement, supercharged by AI. You'll leave ready to deliver the most personalized digital engagement experience every step of the way.
Register now to secure your spot in Charlotte, NC, on June 24-25, 2025! Early bird registration ends February 1st -- https://engage.element451.com/register
OpenAI’s SORA Transforms Video Production and Google introduces Gemini 1.5
In this episode of Generation AI, hosts Ardis Kadiu and Dr. JC Bonilla dive into the groundbreaking announcements of Google's Gemini 1.5 model and OpenAI's SORA, a revolutionary text-to-video model. The discussion starts with the excitement surrounding the rapid advancements in AI technology, particularly focusing on the features and implications of both models. Gemini 1.5, introduced by Google, stands out with its enhanced reasoning capabilities, support for up to 1,000,000 tokens, and a mixture of experts architecture for efficiency and lower energy consumption. OpenAI's SORA, released shortly after Gemini 1.5, captures attention with its ability to generate high-quality, realistic videos from text prompts, marking a significant leap in content creation. The hosts explore the technical aspects, potential applications, and ethical considerations of these models, emphasizing their disruptive impact on content creation, education, and various industries. The episode underscores the excitement and challenges posed by these AI advancements and their potential to reshape the landscape of digital media.
- - - -
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!
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.
Attend the 2025 Engage Summit!
The Engage Summit is the premier conference for forward-thinking leaders and practitioners dedicated to exploring the transformative power of AI in education. Explore the strategies and tools to step into the next generation of student engagement, supercharged by AI. You'll leave ready to deliver the most personalized digital engagement experience every step of the way.
Register now to secure your spot in Charlotte, NC, on June 24-25, 2025! Early bird registration ends February 1st -- https://engage.element451.com/register
AI on Your Wrist, in Your Eyes, and On Your Mind: The Future of Wearables
Summary
Explore the evolving landscape of AI-powered wearables and their implications for higher education and beyond. We delve into groundbreaking wearables, including Apple Vision Pro, Oura Ring, Meta Smart Glasses, and the pioneering Neuralink brain-computer interface. The discussion spans from health and fitness monitoring to spatial computing and immersive learning experiences, highlighting the potential for these devices to revolutionize interaction, personal health monitoring, and educational engagement. With insights into the technology behind these wearables and predictions for their future integration into daily life and higher education, this episode unpacks the promise of AI wearables in creating more connected, personalized, and immersive experiences.
Show Notes
Explore the evolving landscape of AI-powered wearables and their implications for higher education and beyond. We delve into groundbreaking wearables, including Apple Vision Pro, Oura Ring, Meta Smart Glasses, and the pioneering Neuralink brain-computer interface. The discussion spans from health and fitness monitoring to spatial computing and immersive learning experiences, highlighting the potential for these devices to revolutionize interaction, personal health monitoring, and educational engagement. With insights into the technology behind these wearables and predictions for their future integration into daily life and higher education, this episode unpacks the promise of AI wearables in creating more connected, personalized, and immersive experiences.
Introduction to AI Wearables [00:00:06]
Ardis Kadiu and Dr. JC Bonilla kick off the episode with an overview of AI's role in advancing wearable technology, from health monitoring to immersive education tools.
The Surge of AI Wearables [00:00:48]
The hosts delve into the latest in wearable technology, highlighting the Apple Vision Pro and other devices that merge health, fitness, and interaction through AI innovations.
Health and Fitness Monitoring Evolution [00:01:59]
Exploration of devices like the Apple Watch and Oura Ring, emphasizing their impact on personal health tracking and the potential for future advancements.
Generative AI and Interaction Without Screens [00:07:20]
Discussion on the Humane AI pin and its use of generative AI for interaction without a conventional screen, signaling a shift towards more intuitive user experiences.
From Google Glass to Meta Smart Glasses [00:09:30]
A look back at the evolution from Google Glass to the stylish Meta Smart Glasses by Ray Ban, illustrating the progression of wearable tech aesthetics and functionality.
The Introduction of Apple Vision Pro [00:14:15]
An in-depth analysis of Apple Vision Pro's spatial computing capabilities, redefining virtual interaction and setting new standards for wearable technology.
AI Wearables in Higher Education [00:21:07]
Speculating on the transformative potential of AI wearables in enhancing remote learning and creating more immersive educational experiences.
Neuralink: The Future of Brain-Computer Interfaces [00:25:02]
A glimpse into Neuralink and its ambitions for direct brain interfacing, suggesting profound implications for communication, health, and beyond.
The Future of AI Wearables [00:29:11]
A closing discussion on the broad implications of AI wearables for society, the economy, and individual lifestyles, with a look towards an integrated future.
- - - -
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!
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.
Attend the 2025 Engage Summit!
The Engage Summit is the premier conference for forward-thinking leaders and practitioners dedicated to exploring the transformative power of AI in education. Explore the strategies and tools to step into the next generation of student engagement, supercharged by AI. You'll leave ready to deliver the most personalized digital engagement experience every step of the way.
Register now to secure your spot in Charlotte, NC, on June 24-25, 2025! Early bird registration ends February 1st -- https://engage.element451.com/register
AI Touchdown: The Future Showcased in Super Bowl LVIII Commercials
In this special bonus episode of "Generation AI," hosts Ardis Kadiu and Dr. JC Bonilla dive into the creative and impactful world of Super Bowl LVIII commercials, specifically focusing on those themed around artificial intelligence. The 2024 Super Bowl showcased a diverse range of AI-related ads, demonstrating the technology's expanding influence across various industries, from cybersecurity and accessibility to creativity and humor.
Highlights include Microsoft Copilot's empowering "Watch Me" ad, Google Pixel 8's accessibility features brought to life by a blind director and voiced over by Stevie Wonder, CrowdStrike's imaginative cybersecurity solutions, Etsy's humorous AI-powered Gift Mode, the playful mockery of AI in "Despicable Me 4's" Minion Intelligence spot, and Body Armor's satirical take on AI-generated content. Each commercial offers a unique perspective on how AI is perceived and utilized in society, balancing between emotional resonance, practical applications, and entertainment. Join Ardis and JC as they explore these narratives, providing insights into how artificial intelligence is not just a technological advancement but a catalyst for creativity, accessibility, and even humor in the advertising world.
Super Bowl AI Ads
1. Microsoft Copilot: "Watch Me"
Microsoft showcases the AI assistant Microsoft Copilot in Windows 11, demonstrating its potential to empower creativity and academic endeavors.
Watch on YouTube
2. Google's Pixel 8: "Javier in Frame"
Google introduces an accessibility feature in the Pixel 8 that helps visually impaired users take photos, directed by Adam Morse and voiced over by Stevie Wonder.
Watch on YouTube
3. CrowdStrike: "The Future"
CrowdStrike's ad takes viewers to the Old West, where AI-powered cybersecurity is depicted as the hero against futuristic threats.
Watch on YouTube
4. Etsy: "Gift Mode"
Etsy's Super Bowl ad humorously introduces its AI-powered Gift Mode, helping users decide on gifts, focusing on a humorous scenario involving Americans choosing a gift for their French friends.
Watch on YouTube
5. Despicable Me 4 - Minions: "Minion Intelligence"
The "Despicable Me 4" Super Bowl spot humorously engages with AI by showcasing the Minions creating bizarre AI-generated images.
Watch on YouTube
6. Body Armor: "Field of Fake"
Body Armor's commercial uses AI to poke fun at the technology itself, showcasing a sports drink ad filled with AI-generated absurdities.
Whatch on YouTube
- - - -
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!
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.
Attend the 2025 Engage Summit!
The Engage Summit is the premier conference for forward-thinking leaders and practitioners dedicated to exploring the transformative power of AI in education. Explore the strategies and tools to step into the next generation of student engagement, supercharged by AI. You'll leave ready to deliver the most personalized digital engagement experience every step of the way.
Register now to secure your spot in Charlotte, NC, on June 24-25, 2025! Early bird registration ends February 1st -- https://engage.element451.com/register
Deepfakes Unmasked: The Art, Science, and Ethics of Synthetic Media
In this episode, we delve into the intricate world of deepfakes, exploring the technology behind them, their diverse applications, ethical considerations, and what the future holds. Hosts Ardis Kadiu and Dr. JC Bonilla guide us through understanding deepfakes, the balance between their potential for harm and innovative uses, and the ongoing efforts to navigate the ethical dilemmas they present.
Introduction to Deepfakes [00:00:06]
- A brief overview of what deepfakes are and the significance of understanding their impact on society.
The Science Behind Deepfakes [00:05:25]
- Exploring the technical foundations of deepfake technology, including data collection and machine learning models.
Real-world Applications and Ethics of Deepfakes [00:16:01]
- Discussion on the practical applications of deepfakes in various sectors and the ethical implications.
Deepfakes in Media and Entertainment [00:19:58]
- How deepfakes are being used creatively in media and entertainment, revitalizing old content and enabling new forms of storytelling.
Personalization and Deepfakes [00:26:27]
- Examining the role of deepfakes in personalizing content, from marketing campaigns to educational materials.
Cybersecurity and Deepfakes [00:33:04]
- Addressing the challenges and solutions in detecting and mitigating the risks of deepfakes in cybersecurity.
The Future of Deepfakes and Synthetic Media [00:36:59]
- Predictions on the evolving landscape of deepfakes and synthetic media, including the potential for regulation and technological advancements.
Conclusion and Reflections [00:39:44]
- Summarizing the key insights from the episode and reflecting on the dual nature of deepfake technology as both a tool for innovation and a source of ethical concern.
Links Mentioned:
- Taylor Swift Deepfake Story
- Deep Tom Cruise TikTok
- Metaphysic.ai Video platform
- Section 230
- Heart on My Sleeve song
- - - -
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!
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.
Attend the 2025 Engage Summit!
The Engage Summit is the premier conference for forward-thinking leaders and practitioners dedicated to exploring the transformative power of AI in education. Explore the strategies and tools to step into the next generation of student engagement, supercharged by AI. You'll leave ready to deliver the most personalized digital engagement experience every step of the way.
Register now to secure your spot in Charlotte, NC, on June 24-25, 2025! Early bird registration ends February 1st -- https://engage.element451.com/register
From Bard to Gemini: Google's Next-Gen AI Leap Forward
This bonus episode of the "Generation AI" podcast dives into Google's latest AI development, focusing on the rebranding of its chatbot Bard to Gemini and the release of the new model, Gemini Ultra. The hosts discuss the transition from Bard to Gemini, emphasizing its multimodal capabilities (handling text, image, voice, and video inputs and outputs) and the introduction of advanced features like complex task handling and logical reasoning. Google's move to include a paid AI model, Gemini Advanced, with a subscription to Google One AI premium, marks a significant step in competing with GPT-4. Additionally, Gemini's integration into Google's ecosystem, such as Workspace, and its potential to enhance search capabilities are highlighted. The episode provides insights into the implications of these developments for the higher education sector and the broader AI landscape.
- - - -
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!
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.
Attend the 2025 Engage Summit!
The Engage Summit is the premier conference for forward-thinking leaders and practitioners dedicated to exploring the transformative power of AI in education. Explore the strategies and tools to step into the next generation of student engagement, supercharged by AI. You'll leave ready to deliver the most personalized digital engagement experience every step of the way.
Register now to secure your spot in Charlotte, NC, on June 24-25, 2025! Early bird registration ends February 1st -- https://engage.element451.com/register
The Future of Online Search: From Keywords to Conversations
In this episode we explore the transformative shift in search engine optimization (SEO) with the advent of Google's Search Generative Experience (SGE). We dive into how generative AI is revolutionizing the way we interact with search engines, moving from keyword-based queries to more conversational, semantic searches. This change is not only altering SEO strategies but also reshaping the landscape of online content discovery, particularly affecting marketers, institutions, and the broader field of higher education. The discussion highlights the need for content to be more nuanced, focusing on user intent and context, and the increasing importance of social signals in determining a website's relevance and authority. We try to unpack the implications of these advancements for website traffic, organic search visibility, and the overall user experience in the digital age.
Show notes
- Introduction to Google Search Generative Experience (SGE) and Its Impact [00:00:43]
- Discussion on the evolution of search from keyword to semantic, emphasizing the role of generative AI in this transformation.
- The Shift from Keyword to Semantic Search [00:05:14]
- Explanation of how search engines have moved beyond simple keyword matching to understanding the context and intent behind queries.
- Implications of SGE for SEO Strategies [00:08:13]
- Analysis of how SGE changes SEO, with a focus on content relevance, user intent, and the shift towards more informative, conversation-driven search results.
- The Role of Content in the New SEO Landscape [00:22:17]
- Insights into how content must evolve to meet the demands of generative AI-powered search engines, emphasizing quality and context over keyword density.
- Social Signals and SEO [00:29:43]
- Discussion on the increasing importance of social media in SEO strategies, highlighting how social signals contribute to a website's authority and relevance.
- Practical Takeaways for Marketers and Educators [00:33:41]
- Recommendations for adapting to these changes, including focusing on creating nuanced, intent-driven content and leveraging social media to enhance SEO performance.
- Closing Thoughts [00:33:41]
- Reflections on the educational and transformative aspects of the episode, with a call to action for listeners to consider how these developments in AI and search technology might affect their strategies in higher education and beyond.
- - - -
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!
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.
Attend the 2025 Engage Summit!
The Engage Summit is the premier conference for forward-thinking leaders and practitioners dedicated to exploring the transformative power of AI in education. Explore the strategies and tools to step into the next generation of student engagement, supercharged by AI. You'll leave ready to deliver the most personalized digital engagement experience every step of the way.
Register now to secure your spot in Charlotte, NC, on June 24-25, 2025! Early bird registration ends February 1st -- https://engage.element451.com/register
How AI Rethinks Grades and Bias in Admissions: From GPA to GPT (Grade Point Trajectory)
In this episode, we dive into the transformative potential of AI in college admissions. We explore the evolving landscape of talent matching, emphasizing the unique challenges and opportunities AI presents in this area. Our discussion centers on the innovative concept of Grade Point Trajectory (GPT) as a more dynamic and fair measure compared to traditional GPA, highlighting how AI can aid in reducing biases and reshaping the admissions process to better capture a student's true potential and growth.
Shownotes:
1. Introduction
- Ardis Kadiu introduces the episode and sets the stage for exploring the transformative role of AI in shaping the future of enrollment management in higher education.
2. AI in Enrollment Management
- Ardis and Dr. JC Bonilla discuss the potential of AI in talent matching and admissions, highlighting the challenges and opportunities in incorporating AI throughout higher education.
3. Understanding AI in Higher Education
- The hosts address confusion and misunderstanding around AI, its classification, and its role in campus infrastructure, emphasizing the need for clarity and education around AI in higher education.
4. Impact of AI on Change Management
- The conversation delves into the impact of AI on change management and technology adoption in higher education, with a focus on mindset change and upskilling in response to AI integration.
5. Role of AI in Admissions Processes
- Dr. JC Bonilla discusses the use cases of AI in decisioning processes, candidate matching, and the potential for AI to enhance the admissions experience for students.
6. AI Applications in Admissions
- The hosts elaborate on the various ways AI is being used for reviewing transcripts, letters of recommendation, essays, conducting interviews, and communication with applicants, emphasizing the role of Natural Language Processing (NLP) and the potential for eliminating biases.
7. Leveraging AI in Decision-making
- Emphasizing AI's role in handling certain tasks to free up time for high-touch interventions by humans, the hosts highlight the importance of using AI to scale human decision-making processes.
8. Challenges and Imperfections in AI Integration
- Ardis Kadiu and Dr. JC Bonilla advocate for embracing imperfect solutions and focusing on delivering value rather than striving for perfection, acknowledging the need to carefully optimize AI processes.
9. Amplifying Human Capabilities with AI
- Both hosts stress the importance of AI amplifying human capabilities rather than replacing them, especially in finding the right students for academic institutions, and discuss the potential for reducing biases in talent recruitment.
10. Addressing Biases and Enhancing Recruitment
- The conversation highlights the potential of AI in addressing biases and enhancing the recruitment and admissions processes in higher education, emphasizing the use of generative AI to match individuals with the right programs for success and graduation.
11. Conclusion
- The hosts summarize the key takeaways from the episode, underscoring the ethical and practical implications of AI in admissions processes and inviting listeners to engage further with the topic.
- - - -
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!
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.
Attend the 2025 Engage Summit!
The Engage Summit is the premier conference for forward-thinking leaders and practitioners dedicated to exploring the transformative power of AI in education. Explore the strategies and tools to step into the next generation of student engagement, supercharged by AI. You'll leave ready to deliver the most personalized digital engagement experience every step of the way.
Register now to secure your spot in Charlotte, NC, on June 24-25, 2025! Early bird registration ends February 1st -- https://engage.element451.com/register
The Battle for LLM Supremacy: Open Source vs. Closed Source
In this episode we delve into the intense competition between OpenAI, Google and Meta in the realm of Large Language Models (LLMs). The discussion highlights the contrasting approaches of open-source and closed systems in AI development. We explore how these tech giants are vying for market dominance, examining the strengths and weaknesses of their respective strategies. Key insights include the implications of open-source models for innovation and accessibility, and the advantages of closed systems in terms of control and commercialization. This episode provides a comprehensive overview of the current state of LLMs and offers predictions on how this battle will shape the future of AI technology.
Show Notes:
- Introduction [00:00:06]
- Hosts Ardis Kadiu and Dr. JC Bonilla introduce the episode's focus on Large Language Models (LLMs) and their business models, setting the stage for a deep dive into the competitive landscape of LLM providers.
- LLM Market Overview [00:01:07]
- Discussion of the rapid growth in the LLM market, with projections reaching billions of dollars. The hosts explore the economic significance of LLMs and the importance of business models in determining market leaders.
- Foundational Models and Use Cases [00:02:36]
- The conversation shifts to the importance of foundational models in AI technology and the emerging 'frontier models' like GPT-4. The financial and technological challenges in developing these models are discussed.
- Open Source vs. Closed Source [00:04:21]
- A key segment focusing on the differences between open and closed source systems in LLM development. This includes a detailed explanation of what these terms mean in the context of software and LLMs.
- Economic Ecosystem of LLMs [00:06:05]
- The hosts discuss how different business models, particularly in open source, can monetize and commoditize LLMs. They also touch upon the use of open source systems in higher education.
- Technology Implementation and User Experience [00:07:54]
- The episode delves into the importance of not just the technology itself, but how it's implemented. This includes a discussion on user experience in open source operating systems versus closed systems.
- Regulation and Market Leadership [00:09:11]
- An exploration of how legislation can impact LLMs, with examples of how market leaders might benefit from regulatory environments.
- Technology Adoption Curve [00:15:18]
- The hosts discuss the technology adoption curve, explaining its relevance to the market share and adoption of LLMs.
- Predictions and Market Dynamics [00:17:37]
- A detailed analysis of potential market leaders in both open source and closed source camps. Predictions are made regarding which companies might lead in LLM technology.
- Conclusion and Audience Engagement [00:24:05]
- The hosts conclude the episode with reflections on the technology adoption curve and its application. They also encourage audience feedback and engagement for future episodes.
- - - -
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!
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.
Attend the 2025 Engage Summit!
The Engage Summit is the premier conference for forward-thinking leaders and practitioners dedicated to exploring the transformative power of AI in education. Explore the strategies and tools to step into the next generation of student engagement, supercharged by AI. You'll leave ready to deliver the most personalized digital engagement experience every step of the way.
Register now to secure your spot in Charlotte, NC, on June 24-25, 2025! Early bird registration ends February 1st -- https://engage.element451.com/register
The App Store of AI: Rise of Custom Bots
Ardis and Dr. JC Bonilla, take a deep dive into the world of custom chatbots and their impact on the industry. Drawing on their own experiences, they share their insights into building and using custom chatbots, particularly within the context of higher education.
One of the key highlights of this episode is the introduction of the GPT store, a platform that offers custom bots, developed by OpenAI. Our hosts explore the potential for monetization, discoverability, and user interactions within this innovative marketplace, shedding light on the exciting opportunities it presents for both developers and users.
With a focus on personalization and commercial applications, Ardis and Dr. JC draw parallels between the emergence of custom bots and the transformative impact of the App Store in the early 2000s. Their predictions for the future of AI usage are thought-provoking, as they anticipate how custom bots will shape the landscape of artificial intelligence.
- - - -
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!
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.
Attend the 2025 Engage Summit!
The Engage Summit is the premier conference for forward-thinking leaders and practitioners dedicated to exploring the transformative power of AI in education. Explore the strategies and tools to step into the next generation of student engagement, supercharged by AI. You'll leave ready to deliver the most personalized digital engagement experience every step of the way.
Register now to secure your spot in Charlotte, NC, on June 24-25, 2025! Early bird registration ends February 1st -- https://engage.element451.com/register
AI and Journalism Clash: The New York Times vs. OpenAI Lawsuit and Its Implications
In this episode of Generation AI, hosts Ardis Kadiu and Dr. JC Bonilla dissect the monumental lawsuit between The New York Times and OpenAI, shedding light on its profound implications for the world of artificial intelligence and higher education. With a focus on the intersection of AI technology and copyright law, they expertly navigate the complexities of the case, highlighting the key arguments of both parties and their potential outcomes.
Listeners are treated to a thought-provoking analysis of how this lawsuit sets a precedent for the use of copyrighted material in AI training, offering significant implications for the future of AI technologies and higher education applications. The hosts tackle the delicate balance between technological innovation and the protection of intellectual property rights, presenting a captivating discussion that leaves no stone unturned.
Tune in to gain a comprehensive understanding of the legal, ethical, and educational ramifications of this landmark lawsuit, as Ardis and Dr. JC provide insightful commentary and predictions, promising to keep listeners informed as the story continues to unfold.
- - - -
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!
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.
Attend the 2025 Engage Summit!
The Engage Summit is the premier conference for forward-thinking leaders and practitioners dedicated to exploring the transformative power of AI in education. Explore the strategies and tools to step into the next generation of student engagement, supercharged by AI. You'll leave ready to deliver the most personalized digital engagement experience every step of the way.
Register now to secure your spot in Charlotte, NC, on June 24-25, 2025! Early bird registration ends February 1st -- https://engage.element451.com/register
AI Toolkit Essentials: Key Tools and Skills for 2024 Success
Summary
In this episode, the hosts discuss the impact of AI on the workplace in 2024 and the necessary skills and tools to stay ahead. They explore the potential of generative AI to replace a significant portion of human hours worked and the shift in productivity that will result. The hosts also examine the adoption of AI in the workplace and the concerns surrounding job replaceability. They highlight the importance of AI literacy, prompt engineering, AI content curation, automation, and data analysis as crucial skills for working with AI. Additionally, they recommend various AI tools for general purpose, content creation, image generation, and video and audio production. In this conversation, Ardis and JC discuss various AI tools and their applications in different areas of work. They cover content creation tools, data and analytics tools, productivity tools, note-taking and meeting tools, presentation tools, automation and productivity tools. The conversation highlights the importance of AI literacy and the potential of these tools to enhance productivity and efficiency in the workplace.
Takeaways
- Generative AI has the potential to replace a significant portion of human hours worked in the US, leading to a shift in productivity.
- There is a generation gap in AI adoption, with younger generations more likely to use AI in their jobs compared to older generations.
- Companies need to focus on upskilling and retraining employees to be ready for AI rollouts, but most companies are currently not prepared.
- AI literacy, prompt engineering, AI content curation, automation, and data analysis are crucial skills for working with AI.
- Various AI tools, such as ChatGPT, Bard, Perplexity.ai, Jasper.ai, Canva, ElevenLabs, and Descript, can be used for different purposes in the workplace. AI tools can greatly enhance content creation, data analysis, productivity, note-taking, meeting management, presentations, and automation.
- Learning AI terminology and how AI systems work is essential for effectively using AI tools.
- Experimenting with different AI tools and workflows can lead to increased productivity and the ability to focus on higher-level tasks.
- AI tools are constantly evolving and improving, so staying updated and exploring new tools is important.
Specific AI Tools Discussed
- ChatGPT: The most important tool you can use in AI. Most people use the free version however the paid version opens up the ability to upload files, use vision, create images or analyze data.
- Bard (Google's AI tool): For content writing, integration with Google ecosystem
- Perplexity.ai: For research and synthesizing content. It can be a replacement for googling.
- Jasper.ai, Copy.ai: These tools can assist in blog post writing and social media copywriting. Copy.ai allows for workflows.
- Dalle-3 (OpenAI), MidJourney, Leonardo.ai: For image generation
- ElevenLabs and Suno AI: For audio generation and music creation
- Canva Studio: For AI-driven design
- Beautiful.ai, Gamma.app - AI presentations
- Descript: Video editing and creation (We use it at Element451).
- Hex: Data visualization and analysis
- Notion and Coda: AI integration in documentation and workflow
- TL;DV and Fireflies: AI tool for meeting recordings and note-taking
- Zapier and Make.com: For creating automated workflows and data transformation
- - - -
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!
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.
Attend the 2025 Engage Summit!
The Engage Summit is the premier conference for forward-thinking leaders and practitioners dedicated to exploring the transformative power of AI in education. Explore the strategies and tools to step into the next generation of student engagement, supercharged by AI. You'll leave ready to deliver the most personalized digital engagement experience every step of the way.
Register now to secure your spot in Charlotte, NC, on June 24-25, 2025! Early bird registration ends February 1st -- https://engage.element451.com/register
AI in the Eyes of Gen Z: Digital Natives Reshaping the Future
Explore the dynamic world of Generation Z as they interact with and shape the future of AI. Dive into their digital upbringing, unique perspectives, and the ethical implications of their deep integration with technology.
- Introduction:
- Hosts Ardis and JC share personal reflections on 2023 and set resolutions for 2024.
- Discussion on balancing work with self-care and family time.
- Tool: Perplexity.ai
- Upcoming Topics Overview:
- AI's impact on daily life, with a focus on specific AI-related topics in future episodes.
- Promises deep dives into conversational interfaces, battles of Large Language Models (LLMs), and the future of search and SEO.
- Gen Z and AI:
- Gen Z's characteristics: digital natives, gamers, and socially conscious.
- Their acceptance of technology and how they're driving AI adoption in education.
- Gen Z's unique relationship with AI, being the most accepting of technology to date.
- Discussion on Gen Z's skepticism about data privacy and ethical AI use.
- Data and AI Ethics in Gen Z's Perspective:
- Gen Z's openness to sharing data contrasted with concerns about ethical AI use.
- The challenge of ensuring AI reflects the diversity of its data sources.
- Addressing biases in AI and the need for diverse and current data to train models.
- Consumer Behavior of Gen Z:
- Gen Z's pragmatic financial mindset and preference for sustainable products.
- The influence of social media and influencers on Gen Z's purchasing decisions.
- The importance of brand ethics and social responsibility in attracting Gen Z consumers.
- AI and Personalization in Marketing to Gen Z:
- The rise of personalized marketing strategies to engage Gen Z.
- AI as a tool for creating personalized, authentic interactions at scale.
- The challenge of capturing Gen Z's attention within their short attention span.
- The Future of AI and Social Interaction:
- Predictions on how AI will reshape social interactions and consumer behavior.
- Gen Z's potential to redefine the future of work, education, and social engagement through AI.
- Conclusion and Look Ahead:
- Reflection on the digital proficiency of Gen Z and their impact on AI evolution.
- Preview of future episodes focusing on AI's role in education and recruitment.
- Closing thoughts on the intergenerational dynamics of AI adoption and usage.
- - - -
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!
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.
Attend the 2025 Engage Summit!
The Engage Summit is the premier conference for forward-thinking leaders and practitioners dedicated to exploring the transformative power of AI in education. Explore the strategies and tools to step into the next generation of student engagement, supercharged by AI. You'll leave ready to deliver the most personalized digital engagement experience every step of the way.
Register now to secure your spot in Charlotte, NC, on June 24-25, 2025! Early bird registration ends February 1st -- https://engage.element451.com/register
AI in 2023: A Game-Changing Year in Review
Dive into the groundbreaking advancements in AI from 2023. Join hosts Ardis Kadiu and Dr. JC Bonilla as they explore the year's major milestones in artificial intelligence, their impact on education and work, and the emerging trends in prompt engineering and generative AI. From ChatGPT's record-breaking user growth to the introduction of GPT-4 and beyond, this episode is your guide to understanding how AI reshaped our world in 2023.
Full Episode Notes:
- Introduction
- Hosts Ardis and Dr. JC Bonilla set the stage for a retrospective look at AI in 2023.
- ChatGPT's Growth
- Discussion on ChatGPT reaching 100 million users in January and its impact on technology adoption and scalability.
- GPT-4 Launch
- Insights on the launch of GPT-4 in March, its capabilities, and its integration into various products, including Element451.
- Rise of Competing Models
- Overview of competing AI models like Claude (Anthropic) and Bard (Google).
- Summer of AI and Labor Movements
- 'Deep fake Drake' moment's impact on IP and copyright issues. Analysis of how AI advancements influenced Hollywood's labor movements and the broader implications for creative industries.
- AI in Education and Work
- Exploration of the role of AI in education and the workforce, including the rise of prompt engineering as a critical skill.
- Government Regulations and Ethics
- Discussion on new government regulations and ethical considerations surrounding AI, including the executive order on AI safety and security.
- Meta's Lama II and NVIDIA's Growth
- Examination of Meta's introduction of Lama II, and NVIDIA's rise as a key player in AI infrastructure.
- Q4 Highlights: OpenAI's GPT Code Interpreter and Dalle-3
- Discussion on the GPT Code Interpreter's release, its impact on data analysis, and Dalle-3's advancements in image generation.
- Sam Altman's Firing and Rehiring at OpenAI
- Analysis of the dramatic events surrounding Sam Altman at OpenAI, and its implications for the AI industry.
- Google's Gemini Model
- Overview of Google's Gemini model release and its potential impact on the AI landscape.
- 2023: The Year of AI in Review
- Summary of 2023 as a pivotal year in AI development and its influence on various sectors.
- Closing Remarks
- Hosts reflect on the episode and tease the next episode, focusing on predictions for 2024.
- - - -
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!
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.
Attend the 2025 Engage Summit!
The Engage Summit is the premier conference for forward-thinking leaders and practitioners dedicated to exploring the transformative power of AI in education. Explore the strategies and tools to step into the next generation of student engagement, supercharged by AI. You'll leave ready to deliver the most personalized digital engagement experience every step of the way.
Register now to secure your spot in Charlotte, NC, on June 24-25, 2025! Early bird registration ends February 1st -- https://engage.element451.com/register
AI in 2024: Bold Predictions and Emerging Trends
Join us in "AI in 2024" where hosts Ardis Kadiu and Dr. JC Bonilla dive into the exhilarating world of AI advancements expected in 2024. This episode unpacks the rapid progress in AI technologies, from large language models to multimodal AI, and predicts how these developments will revolutionize consumer experience, education, and creativity.
Full Episode Notes:
- Introduction
- Hosts Ardis and Dr. JC Bonilla reminisce about their journey in AI and technology.
- The episode aims to forecast AI developments for 2024, building on 2023's rapid technological advancements.
- Review of 2023 in AI
- Recap of 2023's significant acceleration in foundational AI technology.
- The societal adoption lag and unexplored impacts on society.
- 2024 Predictions: The Battle of Large Language Models (LLMs)
- Expectation of open source models like Llama2 and Mistral catching up to GPT-4.
- Google's multimodal Gemini and its potential impact.
- Predicted advancements in multimodal capabilities, including auditory and visual understanding.
- Discussion on the potential supremacy of OpenAI's GPT-5 or 4.5 in 2024.
- Consumer Perspective and Technology Integration
- Anticipation of more structured and mainstream adoption of AI technologies in consumer products.
- Creative AI and Deep Fakes
- The surge in AI-driven content creation, particularly in the realm of video and text editing.
- Discussion on generative AI's role in revolutionizing the creative process and its implications for content production.
- Personalized AI and Conversational Interfaces
- Predictions about conversational AI becoming more nuanced and empathetic.
- Speculation on the evolution of AI assistants, likening them to characters from science fiction, such as in the movie "Her".
- Apple’s Role in AI Development
- Discussion on Apple's potential contributions to AI in 2024, focusing on privacy and device integration.
- Speculation on how Apple might integrate AI into its ecosystem.
- AI in Education and Higher Education
- Anticipated impact of AI in enhancing student experiences and administrative efficiency.
- The rise of AI teaching assistants and personalized learning experiences.
- Productivity and AI Integration
- Discussion on integrating advanced AI capabilities into everyday tools for enhanced productivity.
- The future of content creation and distribution using AI, with a focus on automation.
- Conclusion
- Recap of the discussed topics and their implications for 2024.
- Closing thoughts on the potential realization of these predictions in the near future.
- - - -
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!
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.
Attend the 2025 Engage Summit!
The Engage Summit is the premier conference for forward-thinking leaders and practitioners dedicated to exploring the transformative power of AI in education. Explore the strategies and tools to step into the next generation of student engagement, supercharged by AI. You'll leave ready to deliver the most personalized digital engagement experience every step of the way.
Register now to secure your spot in Charlotte, NC, on June 24-25, 2025! Early bird registration ends February 1st -- https://engage.element451.com/register
Welcome to Generation AI
Welcome to GenerationAI, the groundbreaking podcast designed exclusively for higher education professionals who are keen to navigate the dynamic world of Artificial Intelligence.
In a landscape where AI is rapidly transforming how we teach, learn, and engage, "GenerationAI" serves as your essential guide. Each episode delves into the most pressing AI topics, breaking down complex concepts into understandable, actionable insights. Whether you're a marketer, administrator, or tech enthusiast, this show will illuminate how AI is reshaping the academic experience and what it means for the future of education.
Join us as we explore the latest news, trends, and developments in AI. From data-driven decision-making to personalized engagement and learning experiences, and the ethical implications of AI in education, "GenerationAI" covers it all. With expert commentary, in-depth analysis, and a focus on practical applications, this show is dedicated to empowering higher education professionals to leverage AI for strategic advantage.
"GenerationAI" isn't just about understanding AI – it's about being part of the AI revolution in education. Tune in, get informed, and be inspired to innovate in your educational space with the power of AI.
- - - -
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!
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.
Attend the 2025 Engage Summit!
The Engage Summit is the premier conference for forward-thinking leaders and practitioners dedicated to exploring the transformative power of AI in education. Explore the strategies and tools to step into the next generation of student engagement, supercharged by AI. You'll leave ready to deliver the most personalized digital engagement experience every step of the way.
Register now to secure your spot in Charlotte, NC, on June 24-25, 2025! Early bird registration ends February 1st -- https://engage.element451.com/register
Fler poddar
Podcasten Generation AI är skapad av Ardis Kadiu, Dr. JC Bonilla. Podcastens innehåll och bilderna på den här sidan hämtas med hjälp av det offentliga podcastflödet (RSS).
En liten tjänst av I'm With Friends. Finns även på engelska.