Artificial intelligence is rapidly reshaping higher education and the workforce our students are entering. The question for institutions is no longer whether to engage with AI—but whether they will do so intentionally.
In this episode of the Engaged By Design Podcast, Michael Cottam and Vernon Smith talk with Heather Pelkie, who leads AI initiatives at West Coast University and serves as an Assistant Professor of Communication.
Heather shares how her work sits at the intersection of AI innovation, learning design, and organizational strategy. She discusses how institutions can move beyond reactive experimentation toward thoughtful implementation that prepares students to work alongside AI systems.
The conversation explores the rapid pace of technological change, the importance of keeping humans at the center of AI use, and new ways educators can design experiential learning using AI-powered simulations and interactive tools.
This is Part 1 of a two-part conversation exploring how higher education can lead the AI transformation rather than lag behind it.
Key Topics Discussed
- The intersection of AI, higher education, and workforce readinessWhy higher education is at an inflection point with AIMoving from reactive AI experimentation to intentional strategyThe accelerating pace of AI change and how leaders stay informedKeeping the human in the loop when using AI toolsUsing the “How Might We” innovation question to unlock new possibilitiesDesigning experiential learning with AI simulations and agentsPreparing graduates for an AI-integrated workforce
West Coast University - https://www.westcoastuniversity.edu
Engaged By Design - https://www.engagedbydesign.com
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- The Course Design Accelerator Faculty-in-the-Loop AI in Higher Education