JC presents a June 2026 “State of AI” summer recap for higher education, addressing what’s true about AI, its current state, and how institutions can improve. He argues AI has shifted from chatbots to agentic operating layers and that model leadership is now contested among OpenAI, Anthropic, xAI, DeepSeek, and Z.AI, making single-vendor strategies outdated. The episode concludes with a live discussion between JC, AI for U host Brian Piper, and Lessons in Leadership host Carrie Phillips.

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Connect With Our Co-Host:
Dr. JC Bonilla
https://www.linkedin.com/in/jcbonilla/

About The Enrollify Podcast Network:
Higher Intelligence 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. Learn more at element451.com.

Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

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

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Connect With Our Co-Host:
Dr. JC Bonilla
https://www.linkedin.com/in/jcbonilla/

About The Enrollify Podcast Network:
Higher Intelligence 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. Learn more at element451.com.

Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

JC is joined by Element451 Chief Revenue Officer Trey Boyer and VP of Customer Strategy & Technology Kelly Sinacola to discuss the complexities of buying AI in higher education. They examine why many campuses struggle to realize ROI on AI investments, highlight the pitfalls of shiny demos and vaporware, and emphasize frameworks for selecting the right problems to solve. The conversation covers data readiness, the importance of organizational culture, and how successful AI adoption depends on people and process—not just technology. Practical advice is shared for institutional leaders preparing to make significant AI purchases.

- - - -

Connect With Our Co-Host:
Dr. JC Bonilla
https://www.linkedin.com/in/jcbonilla/

About The Enrollify Podcast Network:
Higher Intelligence 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. Learn more at element451.com.

Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

JC is joined by Element451's CEO James Novak to explore the shifting landscape of AI and EdTech leadership in higher education. James reflects on his first 100 days, transformational AI strategies, and the emergence of agentic workflows. The conversation unpacks recent industry research, best practices for deploying AI at scale, and actionable advice for higher ed leaders looking to drive impact and student success through AI-enabled labor and process redesign.

- - - -

Connect With Our Co-Host:
Dr. JC Bonilla
https://www.linkedin.com/in/jcbonilla/

About The Enrollify Podcast Network:
Higher Intelligence 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. Learn more at element451.com.

Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

In this episode of Higher Intelligence, JC is joined by Andrea Gilbert from Everspring to examine why most AI pilots in higher education fail to scale, emphasizing the crucial role of leadership and change management over technology itself. They explore actionable frameworks for moving from pilot to implementation, the importance of measurable outcomes, and how institutions can redesign workflows for sustainable AI adoption, with insights drawn from leading industry research and real-world campus experiences.

- - - -

Connect With Our Co-Host:
Dr. JC Bonilla
https://www.linkedin.com/in/jcbonilla/

About The Enrollify Podcast Network:
Higher Intelligence 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. Learn more at element451.com.

Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

JC is joined by Rishab Malhotra, the founder of AIDO, to examine the current crisis in US international student enrollment, the evolving role of AI in global recruitment, and the impact of new federal regulations on AI models. JC and Rishab discuss data-driven strategies for enrollment, AI-powered personalization, and operational improvements, highlighting both the challenges and opportunities facing institutions aiming to attract and support international students in an increasingly competitive and regulated landscape.

- - - -

Connect With Our Co-Host:
Dr. JC Bonilla
https://www.linkedin.com/in/jcbonilla/

About The Enrollify Podcast Network:
Higher Intelligence 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. Learn more at element451.com.

Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

JC is joined by Christopher Porter from Drake University to examine how AI is reshaping entry-level tech jobs, curriculum design, and workforce readiness in higher education. They explore the rapid decline of traditional roles, the increasing demand for AI fluency, and how programs like Drake University's AI major are bridging skills gaps. The conversation highlights integrating ethics, interdisciplinary learning, and adapting to evolving AI tools to prepare students for the future.

- - - -

Connect With Our Co-Host:
Dr. JC Bonilla
https://www.linkedin.com/in/jcbonilla/

About The Enrollify Podcast Network:
Higher Intelligence 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. Learn more at element451.com.

Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

JC unpacks the latest breakthroughs in visual AI from OpenAI and Google’s shift to machine-generated code, exploring what these changes mean for campus workflows and future graduate skills. The episode highlights a practical framework for institutions to move from pilot projects to real AI value, offering actionable insights for higher education leaders navigating rapid technological change.

- - - -

Connect With Our Co-Host:
Dr. JC Bonilla
https://www.linkedin.com/in/jcbonilla/

About The Enrollify Podcast Network:
Higher Intelligence 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. Learn more at element451.com.

Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.