The AI Workforce for Higher Ed is Here |

Talk to a Bolt Agent
EP
92
August 26, 2025
Episode 92: 95% AI pilots fail?, Process is the real AI killer, Buying wins 2x over building, Enter the forward deployed engineer

95% AI pilots fail?, Process is the real AI killer, Buying wins 2x over building, Enter the forward deployed engineer

Or listen on:

About the Episode

About The Episode:

In this episode of Generation AI, hosts Ardis Kadiu and JC Bonilla examine the widely misinterpreted MIT report claiming "95% of GenAI pilots fail," exploring why this headline misses the real story. While individual employees are finding significant value with AI tools (90% use personal AI regularly), organizations struggle to capture this value at the enterprise level—not because the technology doesn't work, but due to change management, leadership alignment, and implementation challenges. Through Element451's own QBR automation struggles, the hosts illustrate how the gap between impressive demos and measurable business impact stems from organizational readiness, not technological limitations. They discuss why vendor solutions succeed at twice the rate of internal builds (67% vs 33%), introduce Forward Deployed Engineers as the bridge between technology and business context, and explain why back office automation delivers higher ROI than marketing despite budget allocation. This conversation provides practical guidance for higher education leaders on moving from shadow AI productivity gains to true enterprise transformation, emphasizing that the challenge isn't whether AI works—it's how organizations need to evolve to capture its value.

Connect With Our Co-Hosts:
Ardis Kadiu

https://twitter.com/ardis

Dr. JC Bonilla

https://twitter.com/jbonillx

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.

People in this episode

Host

Ardis Kadiu is the Co-Founder of AI Idea Lab.

Dr. JeanCarlo (J.C.) Bonilla is an executive leader in educational technology and artificial intelligence.

Interviewee

No items found.

Other episodes

Pulse Check: Your Guide to Engage Summit 2026Play Button
Pulse Check: Your Guide to Engage Summit 2026

Engage emcees Brendan Henkel, AVP of Solutions Engineering at Element451, and Cecily Street, VP of People at Element451, sit down to preview what's in store for this year's conference in Charlotte.

Ep. 68: Higher Ed Conferences: What You Should Know Before You GoPlay Button
Ep. 68: Higher Ed Conferences: What You Should Know Before You Go

Jenny Li Fowler welcomes back Dr. Josie Ahlquist, higher education consultant, researcher, and longtime conference enthusiast, for a practical conversation about making the most of professional conferences.

Ep. 106: How to Write an RFP That Actually WorksPlay Button
Ep. 106: How to Write an RFP That Actually Works

Jaime Hunt sits down with Louis Miller to demystify the RFP process and share practical advice for higher education marketers navigating agency partnerships, procurement requirements, and major marketing investments.

Episode #333: How AI Is Reshaping Course Design and AssessmentPlay Button
Episode #333: How AI Is Reshaping Course Design and Assessment

Dustin speaks with Auryan Ratliff of Arizona State University about how AI—especially agentic AI—is transforming course design, assessment, and the broader student experience.

Episode 17: How to Buy AI in 2026Play Button
Episode 17: 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.

Weekly ideas that make you smarter

Thank you! Your submission has been received!
Oops! Something went wrong while submitting the form.
Subscribe
cancel

Search podcasts, blog posts, people