AI isn’t just another classroom tool—it’s a general-purpose technology that’s reshaping the world our students are entering. In this candid conversation, Prof. Mairéad Pratschke (internationally recognized authority in digital education and AI) argues that higher ed doesn’t need to defend its existence—it needs to redefine its purpose, its pace, and its practices.What we cover:- Why “AI ≠ edtech” and why that framing is holding campuses back- The real existential question: What is the purpose of higher education—formation, employability, or both?- Maker spaces, communities of practice, and “experiment first, permission later”- Leadership failures (and fixes): supporting faculty on the front lines- Global context: recolonization risks, language, regulation, and cost realities- Social pain vs. “radical abundance”: preparing students for the messy middle- A five-year outlook: agents, robotics, world models—and why we can’t still be talking about chatbotsChapters:00:28 – Guest intro: Professor Mairéad Pratschke's background02:36 – Does AI challenge the role of the university—or clarify it?05:03 – The speed gap: AI vs. higher ed processes07:11 – Big reframing: “Stop thinking about AI as edtech.”10:03 – Will higher ed split? New models and the educator’s evolving role13:41 – If you were provost: makerspaces, incentives, and communities of practice16:49 – First steps for busy faculty: trusted voices, free learning, shared time18:54 – What students should do now: policies, guidance, and using the university’s breadth23:06 – Languages, culture, and where AI helps vs. where humans matter24:34 – “Every student should start a company” (project-based learning in practice)27:05 – Surprises from global leaders: recolonization, cost, and context30:00 – Beyond techno-utopias: social pain and policy37:04 – Five-year outlook: from chatbots to agentic systems39:46 – Closing + where to find the guestIf you’re a provost, faculty member, or student wondering how to navigate what’s next, this episode gives you the language, the mindset, and the first steps.👋 Guest: Dr. Mairéad Pratschke — AI Strategist and Advisor, Mairead Pratschke Ltd🔗 Connect: Website (https://maireadpratschke.com/)+ LinkedIn (https://www.linkedin.com/in/maireadpratschke/)#HigherEd #AIinEducation #AIPolicy #TeachingInnovation #DigitalPedagogy #GenAI #Universities #FutureOfWork