Unfixed: How AI Is Reshaping the University

Zach Justus and Nik Janos
  • 5.0 (5)
  • HOW TO
  • UPDATED BIWEEKLY

Unfixed is a podcast for anyone interested in how generative AI is transforming higher education, from teachers and administrators to students and curious learners. Hosted by the faculty behind the blog Melts into Air, it offers candid reflections on a university system in flux, where even the mission of higher ed is up for debate.

  1. 4D AGO

    Ep. 15 Bridging the Gaps: AI, EdTech & Consulting with Brett Christie

    Alchemy Learning’s Brett Christie joins us to unpack real gaps on campus—tools, culture, and strategy—and how partners can help. We discuss “build vs. buy” to faculty buy-in and smart governance and explore how Universal Design for Learning is as important as ever in the AI age.  Alchemy Learning Website Alchemy Webinar Series   Zach Justus on Melts into Air, “AI Is Making Edtech Pricier” Cogniti Zone of Proximal Development (ZPD) Thoughts and suggestions? Email us at unfixed@meltsintoair.org You can find the full show notes and our writing at meltsintoair.org

    38 min

  2. OCT 20

    Ep. 14 Hello Agent Smith: AI Agents in Higher Education

    In this episode of Unfixed, Nik and Zach explore the rise of AI agents—autonomous, goal-driven systems that can research, plan, and even collaborate with learners. From inbox triage and coding prototypes to the not-yet-ready world of full computer control, they unpack where agents are already useful on campus and where hype outpaces reality. The conversation turns to higher ed implications: assessment, advising, operations, and governance. Tune in for a clear look at how AI agents are reshaping student learning, faculty work, and the future of universities. Note: Dear listener please forgive the substandard audio. We had a technical malfunction during the recording of this episode. World Economic Forum & Capgemini. Navigating the AI Frontier: A Primer on the Evolution and Impact of AI Agents Google Cloud. “What are AI agents? Definition, examples, and types.” Yan, L. (2025). From Passive Tool to Socio-cognitive Teammate: A Conceptual Framework for Agentic AI in Human-AI Collaborative Learning. Nik Janos, Melts into Air, The Assistant for the Rest of Us Unfixed Podcast, AGI and the Future of Higher Education with Ray Schroeder Hard Fork, A.I. School Is in Session: Two Takes on the Future of Education. Zach Justus, Melts into Air, AI Is Making Edtech Pricier—and In-House Builds Plausible Again Thoughts and suggestions? Email us at unfixed@meltsintoair.org You can find the full show notes and our writing at meltsintoair.org

    29 min

  3. OCT 6

    Ep. 13 The Enforcement Illusion: Why AI Use Policies Are Obsolete

    In this episode of Unfixed, Nik and Zach unpack the “enforcement illusion” behind AI use policies in higher education. From the impossibility of a true “no-AI” classroom to the cultural gap between faculty and students, they argue why cultivating dispositions, transparency, and dialogue offers a more meaningful path than rigid rules in the age of generative AI. Note: Dear listener please forgive the substandard audio. We had a technical malfunction during the recording of this episode. Zach Justus and Nik Janos, Inside Higher Ed, Your AI Policy is Already Obsolete Nik Janos, Melts into Air, Tools and Brains: UX For Assignments  Zach Justus, Melts into Air, ChatGPT in a Writing Class Zach Justus, Melts into Air, ChatGPT: A Classroom Update Thoughts and suggestions? Email us at unfixed@meltsintoair.org You can find the full show notes and our writing at meltsintoair.org

    26 min

  4. SEP 22

    Ep. 12 Unfixed Newswire: Fall AI Stories Shaping Higher Education

    Zach and Nik brings you the biggest AI-in-education headlines shaping higher ed this fall—from ChatGPT’s new Study Mode and Canvas integrations to Microsoft’s agents, Big Tech partnerships, and Grammarly’s AI grade oracle. OpenAI ChatGPT Study Mode Instructure: Canvas ChatGPT integration Microsoft Copilot Agent LA Times: Big Tech as Savior Reuters: Google Pledges Over $1 Billion for AI Training Grammarly, What Grade Will I Get? Thoughts and suggestions? Email us at unfixed@meltsintoair.org You can find the full show notes and our writing at meltsintoair.org

    29 min

  5. SEP 8

    Ep. 11 AGI and the Future of Higher Ed: Talking with Ray Schroeder

    In this episode of Unfixed, we talk with Ray Schroeder—Senior Fellow at UPCEA and Professor Emeritus at the University of Illinois Springfield—about Artificial General Intelligence (AGI) and what it means for the future of higher education. While most of academia is still grappling with ChatGPT and basic AI tools, Schroeder is thinking ahead to AI agents, human displacement, and AGI’s existential implications for teaching, learning, and the university itself. We explore why AGI is so controversial, what institutions should be doing now to prepare, and how we can respond responsibly—even while we’re already overwhelmed. Ray Shroeder, Uncharted Territory: Artificial General Intelligence and Higher Ed Ray Shroeder, Higher Education in 2025: AGI Agents to Displace People Ray Shroeder Online Learning Thoughts and suggestions? Email us at unfixed@meltsintoair.org You can find the full show notes and our writing at meltsintoair.org

    40 min

  6. AUG 25

    Ep. 10 Ready for a Fight?

    In this episode of Unfixed, “Ready for a Fight?”, we explore the growing resistance to generative AI in higher education. While we don’t adopt the “Fight AI” stance ourselves, we take it seriously—as a revealing response to the rapid automation of knowledge work. Drawing from educators, artists, organizers, and labor movements, we unpack what motivates this rejection of AI, what it’s defending, and where it might lead. Featuring references to union actions, institutional policy shifts, and structural critiques of tech power, this episode sheds light on the values and vulnerabilities animating the pushback. Melts into Air, What does it mean to fight AI? Melts into Air, Will General Artificial Intelligence Replace Me? Karen Hao, Empire of AI Cant, Muldoon, and Graham, Feeding the Machine: The Hidden Human Labor Powering A.I. California Faculty Association   Thoughts and suggestions? Email us at unfixed@meltsintoair.org You can find the full show notes and our writing at meltsintoair.org

    36 min

  7. AUG 11

    Ep. 9 Bridging the AI Gap: From Kindergarten to College with Stephanie Dinnen and Pete Siner

    AI is reshaping every level of education—but K–12 and higher ed often feel worlds apart. In this episode, we talk with Teach Smarter podcast hosts Stephanie Dinnen and Pete Siner about how generative AI is transforming K–12 schools, the evolving challenges across grade levels, and what higher education needs to understand about the next generation of AI-native students. Stephanie Dinnen is an implementation specialist, supporting districts and schools in building MTSS frameworks for literacy, math and SEL. She is a psychiatric researcher turned K-12 educator and a military spouse advocate. Pete Siner is a former teacher and educational consultant who helps schools use AI to strengthen Tier 1 and Tier 2 instruction, support SEL, and build sustainable systems across traditional, CTE, and alternative settings. He hosts the Teach Smarter podcast and will present at ISTE 2025 on how AI can save teachers time without adding complexity. Teach Smarter, teachsmarteredu.com Stephanie Dinnen, @mrsdinnenreads, www.linkedin.com/in/stephaniedinnen Pete Siner, https://www.linkedin.com/in/peter-s-75580490/ Thoughts and suggestions? Email us at unfixed@meltsintoair.org You can find the full show notes and our writing at meltsintoair.org

    37 min

  8. JUL 28

    Ep. 8 We Built an AI Advising Bot, Here’s What Happened

    Advising is part mentorship, part logistics—and often a confusing mess. In this episode, we explore how AI might help (or hurt) students and advisors trying to navigate course selection, degree requirements, and policy mazes. We share what happened when we built our own advising bot and tested it in the wild. Could this be the future of student support, or just another edtech fantasy? With special guest Jamie Gunderson. Josh Farris and Chi Chan, Guiding First-Generation Students to Success Lauren Coffey, An AI Boost for Academic Advising Liam Knox, The (AI) Counselor Is in Thoughts and suggestions? Email us at unfixed@meltsintoair.org You can find the full show notes and our writing at meltsintoair.org

    32 min
See All (15)

Ratings & Reviews

5
out of 5
5 Ratings

About

Unfixed is a podcast for anyone interested in how generative AI is transforming higher education, from teachers and administrators to students and curious learners. Hosted by the faculty behind the blog Melts into Air, it offers candid reflections on a university system in flux, where even the mission of higher ed is up for debate.

Information

You Might Also Like