About the Episode
About The Episode:
In this special conference preview episode, hosts Ardis Kadiu and JC Bonilla take listeners behind the scenes of Element451's upcoming Engage Summit, a three-day intensive gathering of 600+ higher education leaders focused on building the AI workforce. The episode breaks down the conference's "AI powered, people focused" theme while exploring how institutions are moving from AI-curious to AI-native mindsets. The hosts discuss their individual presentations, from AGI's impact on knowledge work to practical vibe coding sessions, providing insight into the cutting-edge AI strategies that will shape higher education's future. This episode is essential for understanding where the industry is heading and how leaders can prepare for an agentic world.
Key Takeaways
- Engage Summit 2025 is set to be one of the most advanced AI conferences in higher education, gathering over 600 in-person and 2,000 virtual attendees.
- The theme, "AI-powered, People-Focused," centers on helping institutions build AI fluency and apply agent-based solutions in real-world settings.
- Day 1 and Day 2 are open to the entire higher ed community, while Day 3 offers exclusive deep dives for Element451 users.
- Keynotes will cover everything from AGI’s impact on knowledge work to AI’s role in crisis communications and campus resilience.
- Attendees will walk away with "agent playbooks" designed to guide immediate implementation on their campuses.
- Ardis Kadiu and JC Bonilla will lead sessions on AI agents, deep research tools, AI maturity models, and overcoming change fatigue.
- The summit reinforces that AI is not a job-taker but a value-creator, aimed at enhancing productivity and student experience.
- Virtual passes are available at engage.element451.com and all sessions will be recorded for later access.
What is the Engage Summit and why should higher ed leaders attend?
Engage Summit 2025, taking place June 24–26 in Charlotte, NC, isn’t just another edtech conference—it’s a movement. Designed to serve the entire higher education community (not just Element451 users), this three-day event aims to bring bleeding-edge innovation to life. The theme, “AI-powered, People-Focused,” reflects a commitment to equipping institutions with the tools and thinking needed to transition from AI-curious to AI-native.
From strategy-packed panels to interactive workshops, the event structure is deliberately designed for maximum impact. The first two days welcome the broader higher ed industry, while the third day offers a deep dive for Element451 users to explore practical applications and platform innovations. Each session is crafted to ensure attendees leave with campus-ready playbooks—tactical, real-world resources for implementing AI agents and tools.
Who are the featured speakers and what topics will they cover?
The speaker lineup is stacked with visionaries pushing the boundaries of AI in education. Dr. Kosmas Karadimitriou from PSG will explore how agents are evolving from tools to teammates, offering a profound look at AI’s future in operational strategy. A presidential POV panel will address institutional resilience through AI, with an emphasis on weathering uncertain times. Other sessions focus on using AI for rapid crisis communication and unpacking the practical side of emerging technologies.
Co-host Ardis Kadiu will present a product keynote unveiling Element451’s newest agentic capabilities and lead a vibe coding session where attendees will build apps using natural language. JC Bonilla will tackle AI maturity models, change management in resource-constrained environments, and host a lightning talk on advanced ChatGPT use cases—all aimed at transforming theory into action.
How is AI reshaping higher education right now?
The hosts explore how AI is already altering the higher ed landscape—moving from hype to hands-on implementation. Ardis and JC emphasize that the conversation is no longer about AI replacing jobs, but about AI creating value and improving both staff productivity and student experiences. The podcast frames 2025–2026 as a crucial transition window, with early adopters positioning themselves to lead in an agentic world.
Beyond thought leadership, the summit promises real use cases and working solutions. It’s about helping institutions solve immediate challenges—like scaling support services or increasing enrollment efficiency—while setting a strong foundation for long-term transformation. The Engage Summit is more than just a conference; it's a blueprint for the future of higher education.
Connect With Our Co-Hosts:
Ardis Kadiu
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! Some of our favorites include The EduData Podcast.
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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