Higher Intelligence

Hosted by Dr. JC Bonilla

Technology Education

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Episodes

131

Latest episode

Jun 2026

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About the show

The Higher Intelligence podcast delivers smart takes on AI and EdTech for the next-generation campus. Hosted by EdTech executive, data scientist, and professor Dr. JC Bonilla, the show breaks down the most important AI stories, explains how the technology works, and translates hype into real implications for higher education leaders. Join us twice weekly for clear thinking with no noise — just AI and EdTech, explained for higher education.

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60 recent

June 9, 202653 min

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 Bonillahttps://www.linkedin.com/in/jcbonilla/About The Enrollify Podcast Network:Generation AI 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.

June 2, 202656 min

First 100 Days Leading AI in EdTech

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 Bonillahttps://www.linkedin.com/in/jcbonilla/About The Enrollify Podcast Network:Generation AI 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.

May 26, 202653 min

Bridging the Gap Between AI Pilots and Practice

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 Bonillahttps://www.linkedin.com/in/jcbonilla/About The Enrollify Podcast Network:Generation AI 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.

May 12, 202649 min

AI in the New International Student Landscape

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 Bonillahttps://www.linkedin.com/in/jcbonilla/About The Enrollify Podcast Network:Generation AI 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.

May 5, 202658 min

Shaping Students for an AI Future

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 Bonillahttps://www.linkedin.com/in/jcbonilla/About The Enrollify Podcast Network:Generation AI 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.

April 28, 202620 min

New Stories That Signal the Future of Higher Ed

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 Bonillahttps://www.linkedin.com/in/jcbonilla/About The Enrollify Podcast Network:Generation AI 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.

April 21, 202624 min

Field Notes from the AI Frontier

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 Bonillahttps://www.linkedin.com/in/jcbonilla/About The Enrollify Podcast Network:Generation AI 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.

April 7, 202646 min

The AI Operating System

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 Bonillahttps://www.linkedin.com/in/jcbonilla/About The Enrollify Podcast Network:Generation AI 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.

March 31, 202653 min

Closing the Context Gap

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 Bonillahttps://www.linkedin.com/in/jcbonilla/About The Enrollify Podcast Network:Generation AI 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.

March 24, 202659 min

The Gap Between Thinking and Doing

JC is joined by former Generation AI co-host Ardis Kadiu to explore four pivotal stories shaping AI and higher education. JC and Ardis discuss Apple's AI-powered devices, SpaceX's universal cellular connectivity, Anthropic's transformative AI code review tools, and Andrew Karpathy's auto-research agent for experiment automation. The hosts break down how these advancements are redefining workflows, access, and innovation, offering practical insights for campus leaders navigating AI-driven change. - - - -Connect With Our Co-Host:Dr. JC Bonillahttps://www.linkedin.com/in/jcbonilla/About The Enrollify Podcast Network:Generation AI 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.