About the Episode
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About the Episode:
Check out the AI Driven Marketer
In this episode of Higher Ed Pulse, Mallory Willsea sits down with Dan Sanchez—creator, storyteller, and founder of the AI-Driven Marketer—to explore the limits of AI in higher education. As we step into 2026, this conversation is a timely gut-check on what artificial intelligence can’t do for enrollment leaders. From human judgment to authentic storytelling and culture-building, Mallory and Dan make the case that AI is a powerful tool, but it won’t replace the human element that builds trust, authority, and belonging on campus.
Key Takeaways
Here are the top insights from this episode—ideal for enrollment leaders navigating the evolving AI landscape in 2026:
- AI can't replace human judgment, context, or leadership—leaders must interpret data and drive strategy through lived experience.
- Intelligence is automated, but authority must be earned—especially in a world flooded with AI-generated content.
- Authentic storytelling is your unfair advantage—real experiences resonate louder than polished, generic content.
- AI is a multiplier, not a miracle—it reveals operational gaps but doesn’t fix broken trust, fractured data, or team misalignment.
- Relationships are the differentiator—while AI scales content, only humans can scale trust, culture, and community.
- Leaders must reclaim the human work—sharing stories, building teams, interpreting nuance, and inspiring with conviction.
Episode Summary: What You’ll Learn in “Everything AI Won’t Do for You in 2026”
This episode tackles some of the biggest questions higher ed leaders are wrestling with as they evaluate AI’s role in their strategy. Here's a breakdown of the main topics Mallory and Dan explore, framed in an FAQ format for easy navigation.
What can AI not do for higher ed marketing and leadership in 2026?
While AI can streamline content creation, automate insights, and enhance productivity, it cannot make strategic decisions, build trust, or tell your institution’s story with authenticity. Dan points out that AI doesn't understand nuance, culture, or lived experience—all critical elements in higher education decision-making.
Mallory makes a compelling case that institutions have leaned too hard on AI to fix things like broken data systems or poor cross-campus collaboration. The reality? AI has only exposed these issues more clearly, not solved them. Leaders must step up to do the work AI can’t: build culture, earn trust, and guide teams through complexity.
What does “authentic authority” look like in a world of AI-generated everything?
In Dan’s words, “Everyone sounds smart now—but not everyone is smart.” That’s the imitator economy in action: AI can write a compelling post, but only real humans can back it up with lived experience and earned credibility.
The conversation emphasizes that authority in 2026 comes from stories rooted in truth, not polish. Leaders who’ve weathered challenges, learned from failure, and are willing to share those lessons are the ones who will stand out. Dan compares it to spotting a product you trust on a crowded shelf—not because of its design, but because of the person behind it. That’s the difference between automation and authenticity.
Why is human interpretation of data more important than ever?
Institutions have more data than they know what to do with—dashboards, predictive models, AI-generated summaries. But two schools with the same data might still require completely different decisions.
Why? Because context matters. And only humans can bring the necessary nuance to that context. AI may surface trends, but a human leader must know how to interpret them, when to trust them, and when to push back. Dan emphasizes that experienced leaders have the discernment AI lacks—and that skill set will define who leads and who follows.
How do stories become a strategic tool in the AI age?
Dan shares a personal revelation: as a former tactical marketer, he used to undervalue storytelling. Now, he sees it as the most powerful tool a leader has. “Storytelling is the shorthand for your value,” he says—it’s how you carry your mission, your values, and your message in a way that sticks.
AI can draft fictional narratives, but it can’t share the real experiences that make your institution human. The best marketing leaders in 2026 will be the ones who share stories with vulnerability, showcase lived experience, and create meaning from the messy middle—not just the highlight reel.
What role do relationships play in AI-driven marketing?
Here’s where it gets real: AI doesn’t build culture. People do.
Relationships are the asset institutions must double down on as AI scales everything else. Whether it’s between staff, faculty, or prospective students, trust and belonging are human currencies—and you can’t prompt your way into them.
Dan encourages higher ed leaders to think creatively about engineering moments of connection, not just automation. Events, campus visits, and even digital experiences must be designed with relational systems in mind. That’s what future-proofing your brand looks like in a post-AI world.
What should leaders reclaim instead of automate in 2026?
It’s tempting to delegate more to AI. But if higher ed leaders want to stay credible and relevant, they must reclaim their voice, their stories, and their presence in the room.
Dan’s advice? Use AI to save time—but use that saved time to invest in what AI can’t touch: storytelling, mentorship, and relational leadership. Share your scars, not just your stats. Be a voice of wisdom and clarity in a noisy space. That’s how authority will be earned in this next chapter of higher education.
Connect With Our Host:
Mallory Willsea
https://www.linkedin.com/in/mallorywillsea/
https://twitter.com/mallorywillsea
About The Enrollify Podcast Network: The Higher Ed Pulse 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 Confessions of a Higher Education Social Media Manager.
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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