AI’s Tipping Point in Higher Education: Agency, Equity, and Urgent Change“Avoidance—both at individual and institutional levels—is no longer possible.”Is your campus ready for the AI revolution—or waiting for someone else to figure it out? Dr. Adam Pacton, inaugural Dean Fellow for AI Literacy and Integration at Arizona State University, lays out why 2025–26 is a make-or-break moment for higher education.In this candid and forward-thinking conversation, Dr. Pacton reveals:- Why AI literacy is no longer optional for students or faculty- How ASU is launching faculty AI upskilling and cross-campus integration efforts- The growing “AI digital canyon” and what it means for equity and access- How writing, assessment, and knowledge production are being fundamentally redefined- Practical ways to spark intrinsic motivation and protect student agency with AI tools- Why play may be the most powerful on-ramp for educators overwhelmed by changeWhether you’re a faculty member, administrator, or education leader, this episode delivers crucial insights for navigating the most disruptive technological shift higher ed has ever faced. The decisions you make now will determine whether your institution thrives—or gets left behind.#AIxHigherEdPodcast #AIinEducation #HigherEducation #EdTech #AcademicInnovation #FutureOfWorkTimestamps:1:02 – Introduction and CISA’s AI Literacy Mission2:01 – Faculty Upskilling and Institutional Communication4:20 - Maintaining Relevance and Agency7:29 – Why Waiting Is No Longer an Option8:52 - AI in Changing Fields and Writing Instruction12:03 – The Existential Questions Facing Universities22:05 – Writing, Assessment, and the AI Paradigm Shift29:00 – Intrinsic Motivation, Agency, and Student Buy-In36:15 - Rhetoric, AI, and Agency40:41 - Prompting47:46 – Agentic AI, Security, and Institutional Risks54:43 - Intrinsic Motivation56:35 – Practical Advice: Start Small, Start PlayingAbout Dr. Adam Pacton:Dr. Pacton is the inaugural Dean's Fellow for AI Literacy & Integration at Arizona State University’s College of Integrative Sciences and Arts. He leads efforts to build faculty AI literacy, integrate AI across disciplines, and foster equitable access to emerging technologies.Follow Adam on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/adampacton/Subscribe for more episodes: https://www.youtube.com/@AIxHigherEdPodcast 🎙️Catch more episodes: https://aixhighered.com/