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

Co-Founder of AI Idea Lab and Founder of Element451

Executive leader in Dducational Technology and AI and Host of Higher Intelligence

Interviewee

No items found.

Other episodes

Episode 24: AI and the Future of WorkPlay Button
Episode 24: AI and the Future of Work

Host JC Bonilla hits reset to refocus Higher Intelligence on what AI means for the future of work. To help find the answers, he's joined by a new team of Enrollify experts from across higher ed and the EdTech landscape — Alison Turcio, Brian Piper, Carrie Phillips, and Rishabh Malhotra.

with
JC
Episode 140: Is Your Social Data Driving Decisions?Play Button
Episode 140: Is Your Social Data Driving Decisions?

Mallory is joined by Perry Rockwood, Social Media Manager at BYU-Idaho, to explore how his team uses weekly engagement data like saves and shares to shape content strategy.

Pulse Check: What Do We Really Need? — Pt 5Play Button
Pulse Check: What Do We Really Need? — Pt 5

In the final episode of What Do We Really Need?, Ologie Marketing Director Erin Fields talks with Doug Edwards, Ologie’s Chief Strategy Officer, about turning that request into useful direction

Ep. 57: How to Augment Admissions Strategy with AI Without Losing the Human TouchPlay Button
Ep. 57: How to Augment Admissions Strategy with AI Without Losing the Human Touch

Host Brian Piper speaks with Scott Clyde, Chief Growth Officer at enroll ml, about the evolving role of artificial intelligence in higher education admissions and enrollment strategy.

Bonus: Modernizing Higher Ed From the Inside OutPlay Button
Bonus: Modernizing Higher Ed From the Inside Out

Murtaza Masood, Vice President for Public Sector and Higher Education Strategy and Go-to-Market at Box, discusses the infrastructure and staffing pressures facing colleges and universities—and how institutions can use cloud modernization, automation, and AI to eliminate redundant work and free people to focus on higher-value priorities. 

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