About the Episode
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About The Episode:
Host Brian Piper sits down with Dayana Kibilds, VP of Strategy at Ologie, to explore AI’s growing role in email marketing campaigns. Dayana shares why AI was a driving force behind her book, Mailed It, and how institutions can use AI effectively — without sacrificing strategy or authenticity. She also discusses the challenges of training AI models, the evolution of custom GPTs, and the persistent stigma around AI in higher ed.
Join us as we discuss:
- [6:10] Training custom GPTs and how they can help you refine emails
- [16:47] Personal use cases and the lingering stigma around AI tools
- [25:14] Advice to institutions dragging their feet on AI implementation
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Key Takeaways
- AI can enhance email marketing by simplifying language, summarizing content, and improving calls to action.
- Common AI email mistakes include ineffective opening lines and a lack of understanding of how readers engage with content.
- Custom AI models, like the Mail.GPT created by Dayana and her co-author Ashley Budd, can refine email structure and readability.
- Higher ed professionals often use AI for content generation but may hesitate to fully embrace it due to institutional policies or misconceptions.
- Universities should establish clear AI guidelines to encourage ethical and effective use.
- The rise of AI may shift career choices, emphasizing the need for passion and creativity over choosing fields based solely on job market trends.
How AI is Changing Email Marketing
AI has the potential to revolutionize email marketing, but only if used correctly. When AI first became widely accessible, many users attempted to generate emails using poorly trained models, resulting in ineffective communication. Recognizing this, Dayana and Ashley wrote Mailed It to set the record straight on email best practices. When used wisely, AI can streamline email creation by simplifying language, generating concise summaries, and crafting compelling calls to action. However, understanding email reading patterns is crucial—something AI still struggles with. Instead of defaulting to generic phrases like “Hope this email finds you well,” email marketers must be intentional in structuring their messages for maximum engagement.
The Challenges of AI-Generated Emails
While AI tools like Gmail's auto-complete and Microsoft Copilot are becoming more sophisticated, they still make key mistakes. One of the biggest issues? The opening line. Many AI-generated emails start with generic, impersonal phrases that fail to grab the reader's attention. Additionally, AI doesn't always recognize how readers scan emails, often placing important details in less visible areas. That’s why human oversight is essential—marketers must ensure that AI-generated content aligns with best practices in readability and engagement. Dayana even jokes that she wishes she could fix Apple’s AI-generated email models to eliminate ineffective openings.
Building a Custom AI for Better Emails
To address AI's shortcomings in email marketing, Dayana and Ashley created a custom AI model, Mail.GPT, designed to follow the principles outlined in Mailed It. Unlike traditional programming, training an AI model is more like guiding a young child—it requires strategic prompting rather than rigid instructions. After multiple iterations, they developed a tool that not only restructures and simplifies emails but also suggests stronger subject lines and pre-headers. One of its most impressive features? It avoids generic sign-offs like “Best regards,” opting instead for more engaging closing statements.
How Higher Ed Professionals Are (and Aren’t) Using AI
AI adoption in higher education varies widely. Many professionals in admissions, advancement, and marketing use AI for content generation and refinement, but some still hesitate to acknowledge their use of AI tools. There’s a lingering stigma—some see AI as a shortcut or even “cheating.” Others worry about data privacy and institutional policies that restrict AI usage. However, as Dayana points out, AI is just another tool that, when used correctly, can improve efficiency and effectiveness. The key is establishing clear guidelines so teams can explore AI’s potential while maintaining ethical and data privacy standards.
Preparing for AI’s Impact on Higher Ed Careers
AI isn't just changing marketing—it’s reshaping the job landscape. Dayana predicts that as AI becomes more proficient at routine tasks, professionals will need to lean into their strengths and passions rather than choosing careers based on market demand alone. AI can be “okay” at almost everything, but it can’t replicate human creativity, strategic thinking, or deep expertise. This shift could bring renewed value to liberal arts education, emphasizing critical thinking, problem-solving, and storytelling—skills that AI cannot fully replicate.
What’s Next for AI in Higher Ed?
Looking ahead, AI will likely become even more integrated into daily life, from smart home devices to institutional operations. In higher education, the focus should be on learning to use AI effectively rather than resisting its presence. For professionals, the best approach is to embrace AI as a tool for efficiency and creativity, while still applying human judgment to refine its output.
Connect With Our Host:
Brian Piper
https://www.linkedin.com/in/brianwpiper/
About The Enrollify Podcast Network:
AI for U is a part of the Enrollify Podcast Network. If you like this podcast, chances are you’ll like other Enrollify shows too!
Some of our favorites include Generation AI and Mastering the Next.
Enrollify is produced by Element451 — the next-generation AI student engagement platform helping institutions create meaningful and personalized interactions with students. Learn more at element451.com.
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