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model leadership is now contested among OpenAI, Anthropic, xAI, DeepSeek, and Z.AI, making single-vendor strategies outdated.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.

- - - -

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.