Higher Intelligence

Dr. JC Bonilla
  • 5.0 (13)
  • Technology
  • Updated Weekly

The AI story in higher education isn't just about technology anymore — it's about people, work, and how we prepare our institutions and students for what's next. The Higher Intelligence podcast goes beyond the hype to debate what AI truly means for the future of work and education. Join Dr. JC Bonilla — EdTech executive, data scientist, and professor — and leaders from across higher ed and the EdTech landscape, including Alison Turcio, Brian Piper, Carrie Phillips, and Rishabh Malhotra, to debate what happens when intelligence and automation become abundant in higher education, and challenge whether our most pressing challenges are technological, or deeply human.

  1. 12h ago

    AI and the Future of Work

    Host JC Bonilla hits reset to refocus Higher Intelligence on what AI means for the future of work. The AI story in higher education isn't just about technology anymore. It's about people, work, and how we prepare our institutions and students for what's next. To help find the answers, JC is joined by a new team of Enrollify experts from across higher ed and the EdTech landscape — Alison Turcio, Brian Piper, Carrie Phillips, and Rishabh Malhotra. Together, we'll continue to debate what happens when intelligence and automation become abundant in higher education and challenge whether our most pressing challenges are technological, or deeply human. - - - - 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.

  2. Jul 28

    OpenAI’s Cyber Incident and the Rise of Open Weight Models

    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.

  3. Jul 21

    Building the Agentic College President

    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.

  4. Jul 14

    Content Quality in the Age of AI

    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.

  5. Jul 8

    Data, Agents, and the Future of Enrollment with Encoura Connect

    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.

  6. Jun 30

    Summer Recap 2026

    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.

  7. Jun 23

    AI Accountability in Higher Education

    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.

  8. Jun 9

    How to Buy AI in 2026

    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.

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About

The AI story in higher education isn't just about technology anymore — it's about people, work, and how we prepare our institutions and students for what's next. The Higher Intelligence podcast goes beyond the hype to debate what AI truly means for the future of work and education. Join Dr. JC Bonilla — EdTech executive, data scientist, and professor — and leaders from across higher ed and the EdTech landscape, including Alison Turcio, Brian Piper, Carrie Phillips, and Rishabh Malhotra, to debate what happens when intelligence and automation become abundant in higher education, and challenge whether our most pressing challenges are technological, or deeply human.

Information

  • Creator
    Dr. JC Bonilla
  • Years Active
    2023 - 2026
  • Episodes
    138
  • Rating
    Clean
  • Copyright
    © 2026 Enrollify Network
  • Show Website
    Higher Intelligence