AI x Higher Ed Podcast

Anand Rao

AI x Higher ed is a podcast for educators about AI in education. Hosted by Stefan Bauschard and Anand Rao, AI x Higher Ed will provide weekly updates on developments in AI and their impact on education, as well as interviews with special guests.

  1. 1d ago

    AI, Power, and Democracy: Who Gets to Shape the Future? | Dr. Mona Sloane

    Is artificial intelligence an inevitable technological revolution, or do we still have the power to shape its future?In this episode of AI x Higher Ed, hosts Dr. Anand Rao and Stefan Bauschard welcome Dr. Mona Sloane, sociologist and Assistant Professor of Data Science and Media Studies at the University of Virginia, to explore how AI is restructuring society, institutions, education, and democracy.Drawing on her new book, Predicted: How AI Is Restructuring Social Life (University of California Press, 2026), Dr. Sloane challenges the familiar narrative of AI as the "Fourth Industrial Revolution." Instead, she proposes understanding AI as a form of social infrastructure, one that shapes access to resources, organizes institutions, and increasingly influences how we interact with one another.The conversation examines what Sloane calls the "prediction paradigm," raising important questions about what happens when algorithmic prediction begins to replace human deliberation, judgment, and democratic decision-making.Topics include:Why the "Fourth Industrial Revolution" narrative can undermine human agencyAI as social infrastructure and the case for public oversightThe concentration of economic and technological power in the AI industryHow algorithmic prediction is changing human judgment and democratic deliberationWhy AI literacy must go beyond prompting and technical proficiencyThe growing importance of critical thinking, creativity, and communication in an AI-driven economyAI's implications for employment, higher education, and students' futuresUVA's innovative Student Technology Council and the importance of giving students a meaningful voice in technology governanceDr. Sloane also discusses her work establishing a Student Technology Council at UVA, where students participate directly in decisions about AI, data governance, and technology procurement. The initiative offers a compelling model for universities and potentially K–12 schools seeking to involve students in shaping their technological futures.About our guestDr. Mona Sloane is an Assistant Professor at the University of Virginia and director of the Sloane Lab. Her research examines the social implications of artificial intelligence, technology governance, and the relationship between AI and democratic institutions.Learn more: https://monasloane.orgChapters00:00 Introduction to Dr. Mona Sloane01:15 Challenging the Fourth Industrial Revolution narrative05:25 AI industry concentration and social infrastructure09:21 Technology, engineering, and social values13:19 AI as prediction rather than intelligence16:40 The prediction paradigm and democratic deliberation20:52 The promises and limitations of AI prediction24:29 Rethinking AI literacy and education30:40 Critical thinking, employment, and the future of work36:34 Student voice and UVA's Student Technology Council45:11 Expanding student technology governance to K–1249:27 Closing thoughts and resourcesAbout AI x Higher EdAI x Higher Ed explores how artificial intelligence is transforming education, work, and society through conversations with researchers, educators, innovators, and thought leaders.#ArtificialIntelligence #AIGovernance #HigherEducation #AILiteracy #Democracy #MonaSloane #AIxHigherEd

  2. 4d ago

    Is Agentic AI Going to Replace Your Students' Learning? Oct 29, 2026 AI Update

    Agentic AI is forcing a rethink of how we teach. This analysis helps educators prepare for a future where students own their work.We examine the six signals of the agentic shift and what they mean for the future of higher education. As automation moves from simple tasks to complex reasoning, the traditional apprenticeship model faces a crisis of relevance. This discussion focuses on how curricula must evolve to prioritize student ownership over simple access to information.We also address the friction caused by outdated evaluation methods. By looking at new agent-era assessments, we explore how institutions can measure genuine learning when the tools students use are as capable as their instructors. This is a critical look at maintaining academic integrity while integrating autonomous systems into the classroom.Subscribe for more honest takes on the future of high-risk technology.

  3. Oct 25

    AI, Democracy, and Student Voice: Co-Creating the Future of AI | Dr. Allison Lester

    How can we ensure that AI strengthens democracy, empowers students, and serves the communities it affects?In this episode of **AI x Higher Ed**, hosts Dr. Anand Rao and Stefan Bauschard welcome **Dr. Allison Lester**, Assistant Teaching Professor in the School of Public Affairs at Arizona State University and Chief Learning Officer of ASU's Mechanics of Democracy Lab.Drawing on her background in participatory action research, Dr. Lester challenges traditional approaches to AI adoption and governance. Rather than imposing AI policies on students and communities, she argues that the people most affected by these technologies should play a central role in designing them.The conversation explores how Dr. Lester works with students to co-create classroom AI policies, develop custom GPTs, and engage in meaningful discussions about AI ethics, autonomy, and responsibility. She also shares how ASU's Mechanics of Democracy Lab brings students, election officials, and technology partners together to develop practical AI solutions that improve election administration and strengthen public trust.The discussion addresses both the promise and the risks of AI for democracy, from streamlining election operations to confronting misinformation, cybersecurity threats, and declining public trust.**Topics discussed include:**- Why students should help create their own classroom AI policies- How participatory action research can inform responsible AI development- Building relationships, critical thinking, and AI literacy in higher education- Connecting universities and communities through AI hackathons- Practical applications of AI in election administration- The risks of AI-generated misinformation and threats to election integrity- Why students deserve a meaningful voice in institutional AI governance- Moving beyond symbolic participation toward genuine collaboration and shared decision-making**A central question runs throughout the conversation: What would AI governance look like if we designed technologies with people rather than for them?**For educators, university leaders, policymakers, and anyone interested in the intersection of AI, higher education, and democracy, this episode offers a compelling vision of participatory, community-centered AI development.**Learn more about Dr. Allison Lester's work:**- Arizona State University's Mechanics of Democracy Lab - https://modl.spa.asu.edu/ - Thinking Through podcast - https://www.youtube.com/@ThinkingThroughPodcast - Connect with Dr. Lester on LinkedIn - https://linkedin.com/in/allisonjoann #AIxHigherEd #ArtificialIntelligence #AIEducation #AIGovernance #Democracy #HigherEducation #AILiteracy #StudentVoice #ElectionIntegrity #ResponsibleAI

  4. Oct 25

    The Future of Learning: Are We Preparing for the Wrong World? - Oct 23, 2026 AI Update

    AI in education is moving far beyond simple job displacement. We explore what it means to prepare students for a rapidly shifting future.Stefan and Anand discuss whether the singularity has begun and how it changes the fundamental purpose of higher education. Instead of focusing on traditional information delivery, the conversation shifts toward creating navigators who can guide themselves through an automated landscape. We examine five critical questions that institutions must debate to remain relevant in an era where AI tools are redefining research and scientific collaboration.This analysis moves past the hype to look at how we must rethink our academic systems to prioritize human mentorship over rote instruction. We break down why the shift from delivering the map to creating navigators is the most important transition for modern faculty.

  5. Oct 7

    What Should Students Learn When AI Knows Everything? - AI Update for Oct 7, 2026

    AI in education is forcing us to rethink what students actually need to learn when machines possess advanced knowledge.We examine the purpose of modern schooling and why the traditional model of passive consumption is becoming obsolete. This analysis clarifies how to prepare students to actively shape the future rather than simply adapting to automated tools.Moving beyond standardized metrics is essential for effective skill acquisition. We break down the shift required to move from rote memorization toward the critical thinking necessary to thrive alongside emerging technology.Subscribe for more honest takes on the future of education.

  6. Sep 24

    Scientific Discovery in the Age of AI: What’s Next? - The Sept 23, 2026 AI Update

    AI governance is shifting from theoretical debate to urgent international policy. We analyze what this means for the academic sector.Universities are facing a dual challenge as AI reshapes both administrative oversight and the core nature of research. We examine the rare convergence at the UN Security Council regarding AI safety, highlighting why global policy decisions are now directly impacting how institutions manage risk and innovation.Beyond institutional policy, we break down how biological discoveries are accelerating through automated systems. This shift forces a reckoning with the traditional purpose of higher education. If you want to understand how the future of universities is being rewritten by autonomous tools, this analysis connects the dots between global regulation and campus reality.Subscribe for more honest takes on the future of high-risk technology.

  7. Sep 19

    AI x Higher Ed: Are We Prepared for What’s Coming?

    Can AI in higher ed reshape how we approach instruction? We discuss the practical implications of current tools on the academic landscape.Stefan Bauschard and Anand Rao sit down with Tim Dasey to break down the complexities of integrating advanced software into the classroom. As educational technology continues to outpace policy development, educators are left to navigate shifting standards of academic integrity without clear guidance.This discussion focuses on the necessary adjustments for institutions, moving beyond simple reaction to thoughtful implementation. If you are tracking how AI policy will define the future of the university experience, this conversation provides the context you need.Subscribe for more honest takes on the future of technology and education.

  8. Sep 15

    Education’s Critical Role in the AI Existential Risk Debate | AI Update Sept 15, 2026

    How should we evaluate AI risk assessment claims? We analyze the role of higher education in existential risk preparation.Evaluating AI risk assessment claims has become increasingly difficult as technical projections collide with political rhetoric. We analyze the validity of existential risk warnings and why the current conversation often lacks the nuance required for long-term strategic planning.We also consider the specific role of higher education in preparing for a 10% chance scenario regarding future development. By examining how academic institutions intersect with AI policy, we can better determine how to separate genuine safety concerns from reactionary political posturing.Subscribe for more honest takes on the future of higher education.0:00 The 10% Chance of Human Extinction0:42 The Tweet That Sparked a Media Storm2:54 Dario Amodei and the Call for Pacing4:56 Is This Fear Actually New?7:18 Why Now? The Acceleration of Capabilities10:20 The Two-Year Crunch Time16:33 Applying the Rhetorical Situation Framework42:18 Higher Education as Existential Preparation

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About

AI x Higher ed is a podcast for educators about AI in education. Hosted by Stefan Bauschard and Anand Rao, AI x Higher Ed will provide weekly updates on developments in AI and their impact on education, as well as interviews with special guests.

Information

  • Creator
    Anand Rao
  • Years Active
    2025 - 2026
  • Episodes
    76
  • Rating
    Clean
  • Copyright
    © Anand Rao
  • Show Website
    AI x Higher Ed Podcast

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