Making AI Work: A Buyer’s Guide for Leaders — Part 1
In this kickoff to a special three-part series titled "Making AI Work: A Buyer’s Guide for Leaders", hosts Ardis Kadiu and Dr. JC Bonilla break down the overwhelming AI landscape in higher education. From general assistants like ChatGPT to workflow-transforming agents, this episode offers a crucial roadmap for institutional leaders wondering what’s hype, what’s helpful, and what’s worth investing in. If you're evaluating ed tech tools or shaping a long-term AI strategy in higher education, this episode is your essential primer.00:00 Mapping AI for Enterprise Leaders04:10 AI Roadmap: From Foundations to Adoption08:29 Understanding AI: Tools vs. Transformations12:27 AI Assistants: Fast and Accessible15:04 "Enterprise AI Deployments in Institutions"18:29 "CRM Copilots and Agents Overview"19:43 AI Copilots Revolutionizing EdTech Platforms22:55 End-to-End AI Solutions Explained26:47 AI-Driven Workflow Automation Tools31:49 "Enhancing Systems with AI Workflows"36:38 Automated Student Engagement Workflow37:46 "AI's Enterprise Value Dilemma"43:54 "ROI Correlation with Decision Proximity"48:04 Evaluating AI Autonomy Levels51:02 "AI Readiness Framework Explained"53:16 Evaluating and Comparing AI Vendors55:49 Prospects and Students
- - - -Connect With Our Co-Hosts:Ardis Kadiuhttps://www.linkedin.com/in/ardis/https://twitter.com/ardisDr. JC Bonillahttps://www.linkedin.com/in/jcbonilla/https://twitter.com/jbonillxAbout 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 — The AI Workforce Platform for Higher Ed. 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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Breaking Down Vanderbilt’s AI Playbook
In this special episode of Generation AI, listeners get an exclusive peek into Vanderbilt University’s ambitious and unconventional approach to integrating AI across campus through a recent episode of the AI for U podcast. AI for U host Brian Piper speaks with Allen Karns, Chief AI and Technology Officer at Vanderbilt’s Center for Generative AI, who breaks down how Vanderbilt built Amplify—their open-source AI platform—for both administrative and academic use cases. This episode is a masterclass in institutional transformation, innovation culture, and practical AI implementation in higher education.Check out AI for U on the Enrollify Network
- - - -Connect With Our Co-Hosts:Ardis Kadiuhttps://www.linkedin.com/in/ardis/https://twitter.com/ardisDr. JC Bonillahttps://www.linkedin.com/in/jcbonilla/https://twitter.com/jbonillxAbout 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 — The AI Workforce Platform for Higher Ed. 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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How People Are Actually Using ChatGPT
In this episode, Generation AI analyzes groundbreaking research from OpenAI and Anthropic that reveals how AI usage is fundamentally different than expected. Hosts Ardis Kadiu and Dr. JC Bonilla dissect OpenAI's study of 1.5 million ChatGPT conversations, uncovering that 70% of usage is now personal rather than work-related - a complete reversal from initial predictions about enterprise productivity gains. They explore how ChatGPT has reached 700 million weekly active users with 90% of usage now outside the US in less than 3 years (compared to 23 years for the internet), while Claude data shows enterprise users focusing heavily on coding (36% of usage) and autonomous workflows (39% of conversations). The discussion reveals critical implications for higher education: while consumer AI adoption explodes globally with gender parity achieved (52% women users), institutions remain stuck with budget constraints, scattered use cases, and talent retention issues. This episode provides essential insights for education leaders on why the shift toward personal productivity and home-based AI usage creates both untapped opportunities and urgent challenges for institutional AI strategy heading into 2026.OpenAI's Massive ChatGPT Usage Study Overview (00:02:08)Analysis of 1.5 million ChatGPT conversations through NBER working paper700 million weekly active users, most comprehensive AI usage study everCollaboration between OpenAI Economic Research, Harvard economist David Deming, and NBERConsumer plans only - excludes enterprise and API usageSample represents massive scale given ChatGPT's global reachExplosive Growth Patterns and Metrics (00:05:27)Reached 100 million weekly users in under one year (unprecedented speed)Message volume growing even faster than user countAverage user sends 7-8 messages per day (up from 2x in 2024)Cohort analysis shows steady usage for existing users, new users driving intensityGrowth accelerates with each major model releaseGlobal Adoption Outpacing All Previous Technologies (00:08:09)90% of usage now outside North America (achieved in under 3 years)Internet took 23 years to reach same international distributionLower-income countries showing fastest adoption ratesImplications for international marketing and student recruitment strategiesGlobal phenomenon across all economic levelsGender Parity Achievement (00:11:30)Women users increased from 37% (January 2024) to 52% (July 2025)Based on analysis of typically feminine vs masculine namesReflects natural population distribution (50/50 split)Usage patterns now mirror general population demographicsThe Personal vs. Work Usage Revelation (00:13:24)Work-related usage dropped from 47% to only 27%Over 70% of ChatGPT usage is personal/non-work relatedHidden economics of home productivity emerging (not captured in GDP)Similar pattern to mobile device "bring your own device" adoptionEnterprise adoption significantly slower than consumerUsage Intent Categories and Detailed Breakdown (00:16:37)Three main categories: Asking (49%), Doing (40%), Expressing (11%)Practical guidance: 28.8% (top use case)Seeking information: 24.4% (up from 18% year-over-year)Writing: 23.9% (declining as users discover new applications)Multimedia: 7.3% (peaked at 12% after GPT-4o image features)Technical help: ~5%Self-expression: ~5%Specific High-Demand Use Cases (00:19:32)Tutoring/teaching: 10.2% (major opportunity for ed-tech)How-to advice: 8.5% (vertical SaaS potential)Personal writing & editing: 18% (demand for AI co-pilots)Coding in ChatGPT: Only 4.2% (compared to 36% in Claude)Each use case bar represents potential startup opportunity or graveyardClaude/Anthropic Enterprise Usage Analysis (00:27:42)Coding dominates: 36% of Claude usageAutonomous workflows: 39% of conversations (up from 27%)API automation: 77% of business API tasks are full automationMore complex multi-step workflows emergingGeographic usage reflects local economies (NYC: finance, Hawaii: tourism, Massachusetts: science)The Context and Data Bottleneck (00:34:52)Major enterprise bottleneck: Data/context readinessShift from prompt engineering to context orchestration for 2026Context engineering becoming the critical capabilityIntegration with existing platforms determines successOrchestration requires both technology and specialized talentEnterprise AI Economics and Priorities (00:37:26)Companies prioritize capability over cost savingsModel capabilities drive adoption more than pricingBusinesses "lean into automation over cost savings"Not yet highly price sensitive - capacity matters moreBudget lines for AI becoming essential planning itemHigher Education Specific Challenges (00:42:41)Minority of institutions identify as AI leaders75% of CDOs see moderate risk to academic integrityMost exploring scattered use cases vs. campus-wide programsBudget constraints remain primary blockerMarketing and enrollment teams leading adoptionStudent support and advising showing strong use casesTalent retention crisis as AI champions leave for better opportunitiesLabor Market Implications and Timeline (00:45:48)Fortune reports AI potentially replacing entry-level workersContext-heavy work remains difficult to fully automateAnthropic predicts powerful automated systems by late 2026-early 2027Low-hanging fruit automation tasks already saturatingNeed to view AI as outcomes rather than featuresKey Strategic Takeaways (00:46:47)Consolidation into integrated platforms expected for 2026Data connectors and ecosystem integration criticalConsumer adoption patterns informing enterprise strategyHome productivity gains creating new economic value unmeasured by GDPInstitutions need separate AI budget lines immediatelyPlatform strategy required vs. point solutions
- - - -Connect With Our Co-Hosts:Ardis Kadiuhttps://www.linkedin.com/in/ardis/https://twitter.com/ardisDr. JC Bonillahttps://www.linkedin.com/in/jcbonilla/https://twitter.com/jbonillxAbout 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 — The AI Workforce Platform for Higher Ed. 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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From $12 TikToks to $10M Influencers: Oracle Surge, Anthropic Settlement, Google's Veo 3 & Nano Banana Revolution
In this episode of Generation AI, hosts Ardis Kadiu and Dr. JC Bonilla explore the accelerating AI infrastructure boom following Oracle's massive 36% stock surge after announcing a $300 billion OpenAI deal. They break down Anthropic's landmark $1.5 billion copyright settlement and what it means for AI training data - companies can train on copyrighted material, but they have to buy it first. The conversation shifts to practical tools as they discuss ChatGPT's new MCP support and Replit Agent 3's autonomous coding capabilities that can work independently for 200 minutes. The hosts then examine the rise of AI influencers making millions through synthetic content, powered by Google's game-changing Nano Banana image editor and Veo 3's new vertical video capabilities that make professional social content creation cost just $12 for a 30-second ad.Opening and UVU Campus Incident (00:00:00)Reflection on September 11th anniversary, 24 years laterDiscussion of tragic incident at University of Utah Valley campusHow institutions manage crisis communicationsAnthropic's $1.5B Copyright Settlement (00:06:32)Court ruling on using pirated materials for AI trainingSettlement details: $3,000 per book for 500,000 illegally obtained booksPrecedent set: AI companies can train on copyrighted material if purchased legallyImplications for other pending lawsuits with OpenAI, Meta, and New York TimesOracle's Stock Surge and Infrastructure Boom (00:10:44)Oracle stock jumps 36% after earnings announcement$300 billion commitment from OpenAI for cloud infrastructureOracle positioning as the "shovels" in the AI gold rushHosting compute for OpenAI, XAI, Meta, and GoogleSignal that AI infrastructure spending is accelerating, not slowingChatGPT Adds Full MCP Tool Support (00:14:51)OpenAI enables MCP (Model Context Protocol) in developer modeMCP as "USB for AI agents" - standardized connection protocolExpanded connectivity beyond limited connector listInternal tools can now expose MCP servers for agent communicationReplit Agent 3: Autonomous Coding Revolution (00:16:37)Third generation agent can work independently for 200 minutesReflective loops for automatic testing and bug fixingCreates multi-step automations similar to Zapier workflowsCan build other agents and complex applications autonomouslySimulates human interaction: clicking, form filling, authenticationThe Rise of AI Influencers and Synthetic Content (00:21:27)Virtual personas making up to $10 million annuallyExamples: Luo Magalo (7.7M followers), Lil Miquella (2M followers)Brands partnering with Samsung, Versace for controlled narrativesAgencies producing synthetic influencers at scaleBalance between fiction/adventure and avoiding deceptionGoogle's Nano Banana: Image Editing Revolution (00:26:12)Transform any image through natural language promptsCharacter consistency for beginning, middle, and end framesUpdate dated content (change "2023" shirt to "2025")Top viral prompts: action figures, different decades, TV showsAvailable in Google Gemini and through APIsVeo 3 Video Generation Goes Social-First (00:28:10)50% price reduction: $0.15 per second for fast generationNew 9x16 vertical format for TikTok, Instagram Reels1080p HD output as standardFull audio integration with voice generation30-second professional ad costs just $12 to producePractical Applications for Higher Ed (00:40:51)Creating personalized content for micro-audiencesUniversity mascots with variations for different demographicsA/B testing at scale for minimal costTransparency and authenticity requirementsBrand ownership and responsibility for synthetic contentTool Recommendations and Alternatives (00:39:12)Midjourney for conceptual images and presentation loopsRunway ML Gen 3 for quick prototypesCling AI 2.1 for lip syncing and motion controlLuma Dream Machine for hyper-realistic animationsLeonardo AI as platform aggregating multiple models including Veo 3
- - - -Connect With Our Co-Hosts:Ardis Kadiuhttps://www.linkedin.com/in/ardis/https://twitter.com/ardisDr. JC Bonillahttps://www.linkedin.com/in/jcbonilla/https://twitter.com/jbonillxAbout 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 — The AI Workforce Platform for Higher Ed. 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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A16Z's Top 100 AI Apps (5th edition), Google's 4-product surge, vibe coding goes mainstream
In this episode of Generation AI, hosts JC Bonilla and Ardis Kadiu break down A16Z's fifth annual Top 100 Gen AI Consumer Applications report, revealing how the AI app ecosystem has shifted from experimentation to consolidation. They discuss Google's aggressive entry with four separate products in the rankings, including Gemini's rapid rise to second place behind ChatGPT. The conversation explores how consumer AI has moved beyond novelty to become essential productivity tools, with specialized apps dominating specific use cases like image generation (Midjourney), voice (11 Labs), and the emerging category of agentic coding platforms like Lovable and Replit. The hosts also examine the global dynamics of AI adoption, including the significant presence of Chinese-developed apps and what these consumer trends mean for higher education professionals and their students.Opening and Mediterranean Reflections (00:00:00)Ardis returns from his brother's wedding in TuscanyDiscussion about taking time away from technology and workThe value of slowing down and gaining new perspectives on AI trendsThe A16Z Top 100 Report Overview (00:08:49)Fifth edition of Andreessen Horowitz's annual consumer AI apps reportBased on monthly active users on mobile and web trafficDifference between unique web visitors vs active users explainedFocus on consumer adoption patterns rather than enterprise AIMarket Stabilization and All-Stars (00:11:54)Only 11 new names on web list vs 17 last yearMarket maturity signals with winners consolidating positionsChatGPT reaches 700-800 million weekly active users14 brands consistently dominating across categoriesGoogle's Aggressive Multi-Product Strategy (00:17:00)Gemini takes second place with 12% of ChatGPT's web visitsIntroduction of Nano Banana image editing modelFour Google products separately ranked in top 100Strategic unbundling approach to compete across categoriesThe Rise of Agentic Coding (00:25:47)Evolution from "vibe coding" to "agentic coding"Lovable reaches #22, Replit maintains strong positionIntegration with Supabase for backend developmentReal work being done on these platforms, not just experimentationRegional Dynamics and Chinese Apps (00:29:19)22 out of 50 mobile apps are Chinese-developedDiscussion of China vs rest of world classificationChinese apps being exported globallyAI as a global technology play across regionsYear-Over-Year Changes (00:32:12)Deep Seek's rise and fall (down 40% from peak)Shift from novelty (2024) to utility (2025)Apple's crackdown on ChatGPT copycatsMobile list showing more innovation and newcomersVideo Generation Maturity (00:36:15)Google's VO3 dominates over SoraConsolidation in video generation spaceWorld models like Genie 3 emergingVideo becoming integrated into general assistantsImplications for Higher Education (00:38:01)Students already using multiple consumer AI toolsPattern of utility across companions, creativity, productivityNeed for educators to understand student tool usageRecommendation to explore top apps to understand student behaviorClosing Thoughts (00:41:20)Consumer AI adoption as mirror of society's AI integrationFocus shifting from smartest models to most useful appsEncouragement to test unfamiliar apps from the listPreview of fall conference season and upcoming AI announcements
- - - -Connect With Our Co-Hosts:Ardis Kadiuhttps://www.linkedin.com/in/ardis/https://twitter.com/ardisDr. JC Bonillahttps://www.linkedin.com/in/jcbonilla/https://twitter.com/jbonillxAbout 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 — The AI Workforce Platform for Higher Ed. 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.
Generation AI is the groundbreaking podcast designed exclusively for higher education professionals who are keen to navigate the dynamic world of Artificial Intelligence.
In a landscape where AI is rapidly transforming how we teach, learn, and engage, "Generation AI" serves as your essential guide. Each episode delves into the most pressing AI topics, breaking down complex concepts into understandable, actionable insights. Whether you're a marketer, administrator, or tech enthusiast, this show will illuminate how AI is reshaping the academic experience and what it means for the future of education.
Join us as we explore the latest news, trends, and developments in AI. From data-driven decision-making to personalized engagement and learning experiences, and the ethical implications of AI in education, "Generation AI" covers it all. With expert commentary, in-depth analysis, and a focus on practical applications, this show is dedicated to empowering higher education professionals to leverage AI for strategic advantage.
"Generation AI" isn't just about understanding AI – it's about being part of the AI revolution in education. Tune in, get informed, and be inspired to innovate in your educational space with the power of AI.
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