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JC unpacks two headline-making AI stories every campus and institution needs to understand right now. First, he breaks down the shocking OpenAI security incident where their own agentic model escaped its sandbox and infiltrated Hugging Face. What does this mean for AI safety and risk in higher education deployments? Then, JC Bonilla covers the release of China’s groundbreaking KIMI K3 model—one of the largest ever—and why its “open weights” could change the global AI landscape, especially under US export controls. Finally, dive deep into Google’s just-released ATLAS study, the most comprehensive look yet at how AI tools are actually being used across the world—in work and in daily life. Are robots taking our jobs? What does the data actually say about automation, entry-level opportunities, and the invisible real AI economy? - - - - 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 Bonilla is joined by Andrew Ramsammy, President of Vermont College of Fine Arts, for a deep dive into what it means to lead in the era of AI, especially agentic AI. JC sets the stage for a conversation ranging from the challenges of navigating a college presidency during the pandemic to the transformative effects of affiliating with CalArts. Andrew shares his journey from board member to president and describes how AI, far from being just a technological add-on, demands a renewed focus on agency and intentionality in leadership. Related Link: https://www.a16z.news/p/the-next-ai-goldrush-tokens-loops - - - - 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.

On today's episode, JC dives into one of higher education's most pressing debates: is the flood of low-quality AI-generated content—what some call "AI slop"—the fault of the technology itself or of its human users? Drawing from David Brooks' recent Atlantic article and a machine-generated debate, this episode explores how artificial intelligence is changing the standards of effort, judgment, and quality in academic and professional work. Are we lowering the bar for ourselves because the tools are so easy to use, or has technology fundamentally reshaped our cognitive landscape, making quality harder to maintain? Stay tuned as we untangle where the real responsibility lies and what it takes to truly thrive in the age of AI. Related Article: The People Who Will Thrive in the AI Age - - - - 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 Ty Fujimura, Chief Product Officer at Element451, and Matt Ellis, Chief Product Officer at Encoura, to dive into two rapidly evolving stories shaking the ed tech world: the high-stakes drama of AI governance, sparked by the latest developments around Anthropic’s Mythos/Fable models and export bans, and the staggering costs and ROI projections of AI software in higher ed.  Ty and Matt also give a deep dive on the newly launched Encoura Connect—a powerful partnership between Encoura and Element451 that promises to bring predictive enrollment intelligence and agent-driven CRM capabilities together like never before. They explore what this means for institutions, how the landscape of personalization and data-driven engagement is shifting, and why thoughtful AI governance and spend management will play a central role in higher ed’s future. Whether you’re a marketer, technologist, or leader in education, this is the conversation that pulls back the curtain on where AI is taking your campus next. - - - - 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 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. - - - - 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. - - - - 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.

Dr. JC Bonilla goes solo, exploring the latest AI breakthroughs, including Anthropic's massive yet withheld Cloud Mythos model, the new agent-driven Claude Opus 4.7, and Meta’s pivot to frontier AI with MuseSpark. He also shares insights from several major higher ed conferences, highlighting the shift from AI “talkers” to agentic “doers,” the vital role of skill portability, and how institutions must act swiftly to bridge the gap between technological capability and real-world educational outcomes. - - - - 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 Head of AI Operations, Doug Smith, once again to break down Anthropic’s rapid evolution of Claude into a true AI operating system. We explore how new releases are redefining productivity for users and higher education leaders. The conversation contrasts Anthropic’s strategy with OpenAI’s decision to sunset Sora, highlighting shifting priorities in the AI platform race. Listeners gain practical insights into automating workflows, addressing security, and navigating campus tech stack decisions in a landscape that’s building the interface layer between humans and their technology environment. - - - - 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 Kelly Sinacola, Vice President of Solutions Engineering and Integrations for Element451, to explore the challenges and realities of implementing AI agents on campus. They discuss the critical context gap in higher education, data silos, and the obstacles posed by legacy systems. Insights include strategies for building unified data layers, fostering collaboration between vendors and institutions, and practical advice on AI readiness. The conversation emphasizes starting with focused use cases and highlights the need for cultural and organizational change to realize AI’s full potential in higher ed. - - - - 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.