Is College Broken? AI Agents and the Challenge to Higher Education

UOH + DGI Crossover: Preparing for the Next Wave

In this episode, we take a bit of turn and engage in a crossover event, where the Unofficial Official Hours podcasts features content from a the Digital Gardener Initiative's Generative AI Webinar serie (dgi.iu.edu/gen-ai). UOH host, Dr. Justin Hodgson [https://www.linkedin.com/in/justinhodgson/], also leads that series and in the latest webinar he is joined by Dr. Anne Leftwich [https://www.linkedin.com/in/anne-leftwich-9b52646/] and Dr. Remi Kalir [https://www.linkedin.com/in/jeremiah-kalir-phd/] (both guests and participants on the UOH series). Together they reflect on the past year of rapid change in generative AI while turning attention to what’s coming next in Higher Education and AI. The webinar served as a capstone for the series, but as the content takes up with issues and innovations relative to this podcast, we wanted to expand the reach of that conversation: exploring not only the next wave of possibilities at IU, but some next level projects Remi has been working on Caulde Code.

Agentic AI, AI & Writing, and a 4Cs Resolution

In this episode of the Unofficial Office Hours podcast, host Justin Hodgson [https://www.linkedin.com/in/justinhodgson/], joined by co-host Miranda Rodak [https://www.linkedin.com/in/mirandarodak/], welcomes Anna Mills [https://www.linkedin.com/in/anna-mills-oer/]—community college writing instructor, AI faculty developer, author, and co-editor of the upcoming Bad Ideas About AI and Writing—for a thoughtful and wide-ranging conversation about AI, writing, and the future of higher education. The episode begins with a critical examination of agentic AI systems capable of completing coursework on behalf of students, raising urgent questions about autonomy, authorship, and what remains of learning when academic workflows can be fully automated. Drawing on her public advocacy and open letter to major AI companies, Anna reflects on the ethical responsibilities of developers and institutions, and the disproportionate risks these technologies pose for already vulnerable student populations . The conversation then turns to the 4Cs resolution on the right to refuse AI, exploring what meaningful choice looks like in environments where AI tools are increasingly embedded by default, and why refusal can function as a generative and political act rather than simple resistance . In the final segment, the discussion briefly explores the upcoming collection Bad Ideas About AI and Writing (WAC Clearinghouse [https://wacclearinghouse.org/]), examining common misconceptions—particularly the idea that AI is neutral—and why that framework / model felt like the right fit for this conversation A nuanced and deeply informed conversation about AI, pedagogy, equity, and the future of writing and learning in higher education. See Anna's work at annamills.substack.com [https://annamills.substack.com/] and/or at annarmills.com [https://www.annarmills.com/]

Higher Ed, AI-powered Support, & Learnwise.ai

In this episode of the Unofficial Office Hours podcast, host Justin Hodgson [https://www.linkedin.com/in/justinhodgson/] is joined by Greg Marschall [https://www.linkedin.com/in/gregfmarschall/], CEO of Learnwise.ai [https://www.learnwise.ai], along with co-host Anne Leftwich [https://www.linkedin.com/in/anne-leftwich-9b52646/], for a conversation about the evolving role of AI in supporting teaching, learning, and institutional operations in higher education. Rather than focusing on product features, the discussion explores the broader purpose behind platforms like Learnwise—how AI can help reduce friction across complex educational systems, support student success, and enhance engagement across faculty, staff, and student workflows. The episode also considers what it means to build AI into the everyday infrastructure of higher education and where these tools create real value. In the second half, the conversation turns to Greg’s professional journey, tracing how his experience building systems and platforms led him to education as a space for meaningful problem-solving and impact. A thoughtful discussion about AI, systems design, and the future of learning in higher education.

AI Conversations at a Liberal Arts College

In this episode of the Unofficial Office Hours Podcast, host Justin Hodgson [https://www.linkedin.com/in/justinhodgson/] sits down with Andrew Rosner [https://www.linkedin.com/in/abrosner/], Director of Digital Fluency at Franklin College (Franklin, IN), to talk about how faculty and students at a small liberal arts institution are navigating the rapid rise of AI tools. Rather than focusing only on academic integrity concerns, the conversation looks at the broader cultural and educational questions emerging across campus. What are students doing with AI? How are faculty responding? And how might the close-knit, teaching-focused environment of a liberal arts college create opportunities for thoughtful experimentation with new technologies? Andrew shares insights into the conversations happening at Franklin College, the advantages of a tight-knit academic community, and the ways educators can rethink teaching, engagement, and digital fluency in the AI era. If you're curious about how smaller institutions are approaching innovation while staying grounded in their educational mission, this episode offers a thoughtful look at AI, teaching, and the future of the liberal arts.

Is College Broken? AI Agents and the Challenge to Higher Education

In this roundtable episode of the Unofficial Office Hours podcast, host Dr. Justin Hodgson [https://www.linkedin.com/in/justinhodgson/] is joined by returning guests Dr. Sheneese Thompson [https://www.linkedin.com/in/sheneese-thompson-ph-d-3a10aa86/], Dr. Kevin Jones [https://www.linkedin.com/in/dr-kevin-j-jones/], Dr. Miranda Rodak [https://www.linkedin.com/in/mirandarodak/], and Dr. Remi Kalir [https://www.linkedin.com/in/jeremiah-kalir-phd/] for a candid conversation about a new frontier in educational technology: agentic AI systems. Tools like Einstein AI and other AI agents (e.g., Openclaw) are beginning to move beyond assisting students with writing or brainstorming. Instead, these systems can autonomously log into learning platforms, watch lectures, read assigned texts, and complete course activities on a student’s behalf. [https://www.cnet.com/tech/services-and-software/companion-einstein-ai-tool/] As these capabilities emerge, they raise urgent questions about the future of teaching, learning, and academic integrity. Together, the panel explores what these tools reveal about how courses are designed, why task-based learning environments may be especially vulnerable to automation, and what this moment means for the relationship between effort, engagement, and learning. The conversation also considers broader implications for institutional policy, pedagogy, and the role educators must play in shaping how AI intersects with education. A thoughtful and wide-ranging discussion about AI agents, academic integrity, and the future of learning in higher education.