Much of the excitement around artificial intelligence focuses on its potential to shape the future of higher education, but many schools are already making significant strides with this technology today. In this episode, hosts Jeff Selingo and Michael Horn explore how AI is being applied across various areas, from recruitment and instruction to supporting post-graduation success. They interview Lev Gonick, Chief Information Officer at Arizona State University (ASU), and Ashley Budd, Senior Marketing Director at Cornell University, to discuss how their institutions are harnessing AI’s power.
ASU became the first university to partner with OpenAI, emphasizing student privacy and the effective integration of AI in higher education. “What I think the community needs to know now is it’s still extremely early days,” Gonick explains. “It’s still just the bottom of the first inning, and so we have to be very careful where we place bets.” He highlights that while there has been substantial innovation in AI for business and entrepreneurship, its thoughtful application in the classroom remains underdeveloped. Both Gonick and Budd also discuss AI’s growing impact on administrative functions, research, and student services.