About the Blog
The AI Engage Summit isn’t just another conference—it’s where the future of higher ed takes shape. As artificial intelligence accelerates change across campuses, institutions are asking big questions: How do we prepare? Where do we start? And how do we do it right?
This year’s lineup of sessions brings together market analysts, tech leaders, presidents, and AI practitioners who are all answering these questions in bold, strategic ways. Whether you're building your AI roadmap or rethinking how your campus communicates, these five sessions will anchor your strategy in what's next—and what’s working now.
1. Ready for What’s Next? Tambellini Reveals the Top Trends Shaping Higher Ed
Speakers: JC Bonilla and Matt Winn
AI isn’t the only force reshaping higher ed, but it’s certainly one of the fastest-moving. In this opening session, analysts from the Tambellini Group break down their latest market research to reveal what’s actually driving change right now. From evolving student expectations to shifts in digital infrastructure, this session maps out where institutions are investing and which trends demand your attention. It’s a must-attend for anyone charting the future of tech on campus.
Why attend? To get clarity on the trends you can’t afford to ignore—and learn how to turn insight into institutional action.
2. HAIRO: The AI Readiness & Opportunity Model for Higher Ed
Speaker: Doug Smith
Not sure how ready your campus is for AI? Meet HAIRO. Developed by Element451, this practical framework helps institutions audit their workflows, assess readiness, and identify AI's most immediate opportunities. Whether you’re launching pilot programs or scaling existing tools, HAIRO gives your team the clarity and structure it needs to move forward with confidence—and with impact.
Why attend? If you’re looking for a clear starting point (or a sanity check), this session delivers a tangible roadmap to help you unlock quick wins and build long-term success.
3. Presidents’ POV: AI-Powered Resilience for Uncertain Times
Speakers: Marjorie Hass and Rosemary Thomas
In an era of enrollment headwinds, digital transformation, and growing competition, resilience is no longer optional. It’s strategic. In this candid panel, two seasoned college presidents share how they’re navigating uncertainty with the help and scrutiny of AI. From policy challenges to staffing shifts, you’ll hear real-world examples of where AI is adding value and where caution is warranted.
Why attend? To hear directly from the top how institutions are weighing the promise and pressure of AI during a time of massive change.
4. Responsible AI in Action: Safety, Evaluation, and Real-World Lessons from ASU
Speaker: Stella Liu
As AI scales across student services and academic systems, ethical guardrails are becoming mission-critical. Arizona State University’s Stella Liu will walk through the university’s approach to building and evaluating responsible AI, complete with live monitoring, transparency protocols, and institutional alignment. This isn’t just a theoretical session—it’s a blueprint for action.
Why attend? If you want to avoid AI missteps and build trust with stakeholders, this is your behind-the-scenes look at how a leading institution is getting it right.
5. Students (Gen Z) + AI: Why They’d Rather Talk to a Bot
Speaker: Mallory Willsea
Here’s a stat that might surprise you: Gen Z students often prefer chatting with AI over humans. In this fast-paced session, Mallory Willsea unpacks why, pointing to student behavior patterns, expectations around immediacy, and the comfort of anonymity. You’ll also see how schools are tapping into this trend to boost satisfaction, scale support, and give staff back their time.
Why attend? To understand (and adapt to) how your students want to engage today, and how AI can meet them where they are.
Each of these sessions addresses a different layer of the AI puzzle—from strategic foresight and operational readiness to student experience and institutional ethics. Attend one, and you’ll walk away inspired. Attend all five, and you’ll leave equipped to lead.
Save your seat and use code ENGAGE100 for $100 off your registration.