As artificial intelligence becomes more deeply embedded in higher education, institutions are facing new questions about governance, academic integrity, and strategic implementation.
In this episode of the Engaged By Design Podcast, Michael Cottam and Vernon Smith continue their conversation with Heather Pelkie, who leads AI initiatives at West Coast University and serves as an Assistant Professor of Communication.
Heather explains how her institution is building an AI walled garden to create a safe, governed space for experimentation, innovation, and productivity gains. She also shares why governance, policy, human oversight, and intentional design are essential if colleges and universities want to use AI responsibly.
The conversation explores the future of AI in teaching and learning, the limits of AI detection tools, the importance of AI fluency, and what it really means to keep humans at the center of educational innovation.
This is Part 2 of a two-part conversation on AI, learning design, and the future of higher education.
Key Topics Discussed
- Academic integrity in an AI-driven worldWhy institutions need an AI governance structureThe purpose of an AI walled gardenHuman-in-the-loop design for higher-risk AI workflowsManaging permissions, risk, and responsible experimentationWhy AI detection tools are still unreliableReframing assessment design for an AI-rich futureAI as part of the future architecture of educationHow to engage learners more effectively in times of rapid change
Heather Pelkie - https://heatherpelkie.com
West Coast University - https://www.westcoastuniversity.edu
Engaged By Design - https://www.engagedbydesign.com
Join us at www.engagedbydesign.com to learn more about
- The Course Design Accelerator Faculty-in-the-Loop AI in Higher Education