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EPISODE · Apr 27, 2026 · 53 MIN

A new blueprint for AI in higher education

from Education Futures

What does it actually look like when a higher education institution takes AI seriously, as something to integrate into the very design of how students learn, are assessed, and grow?In this episode, Svenia Busson sits down with the founder of Forward College, Boris Walbaum, who walks us through one of the most concrete and thoughtful AI-in-education frameworks we've encountered. From an in-house AI Hub giving students access to all major models, to an AI Mirror dashboard that maps how each student is using AI (memorising, getting feedback, or — the red flag — offloading higher-order thinking to the machine), to an AI Journal where students log and defend their AI strategy on every assignment, this is what AI-integrated learning can actually look like in practice.We also dig into the bigger philosophical shift behind it: why "excellence" itself is being redefined in a world moving from certainty to uncertainty, why the appetite for learning is collapsing among teenagers, and why investing in deep skills — cognitive, social, emotional and practical — is the only no-regret move in a world where technical skills become obsolete every few years.A must-listen for anyone in higher education.Resources & references mentioned in this episode:Boris's book Excellence Isn't What You Think – https://www.amazon.com/Excellence-Isnt-What-You-Think-ebook/dp/B0GG9TMHC2Forward College – https://forward-college.eu/London School of Economics (academic partner) – https://www.lse.ac.ukKing's College London (academic partner) – https://www.kcl.ac.ukAn Avalanche is Coming report (Michael Barber, IPPR, 2013) – https://www.ippr.org/articles/an-avalanche-is-coming-higher-education-and-the-revolution-aheadNoise by Daniel Kahneman, Olivier Sibony & Cass Sunstein – https://www.hachettebookgroup.com/titles/daniel-kahneman/noise/9780316451383/Paul LeBlanc (President of Forward College's Academic Council, former SNHU President) – https://www.paul-leblanc.comMcKinsey "no-regret moves" framing – https://www.mckinsey.com/capabilities/strategy-and-corporate-finance/our-insights/strategy-under-uncertainty

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A new blueprint for AI in higher education

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Soft, Earthen Futures Storywork Studio Soft, Earthen Futures is a podcast about imagining and crafting a more whole world. We explore what it means to stand at the threshold between what has been and what is trying to emerge, tending to that in-between space, listening for what the earth is dreaming through us, and giving those visions form. This show is for wild-hearted creatives, entrepreneurs, and visionaries. Hosted by founder, story doula, and eco-somatic depth guide, Daje Aloh. AI Generated - EDU Video Podcast Magnus Lian Explore how video tools and AI are transforming education with Magnus Sæternes Lian, Senior Engineer at NTNU and founder of ReadyMedia. This podcast dives into the latest video technologies, real-world use cases, and actionable insights for educators and tech enthusiasts. Created using cutting-edge AI tools like GoogleLM and ElevenLabs, all content is verified for accuracy. Discover practical solutions and stay ahead in the evolving landscape of educational technology! SPADE: The Podcast Paul Anthony Henderson Jr SPADE: The Podcast stands as a beacon of hope and understanding, addressing critical mental health challenges within the African American community. SPADE (Suicide, Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder, Anxiety, Depression, and Epilepsy) seeks to shine a light on topics often stigmatized and misunderstood. Our mission is to break the silence surrounding these issues, encouraging open dialogue and fostering a culture of support and education. By providing meaningful resources and sharing powerful stories, we aim to empower individuals to confront these challenges head-on and build pathways toward healing. Mental health is a crucial but often overlooked subject in the African American community. It’s time to dismantle the barriers of shame and stigma, ensuring everyone feels safe to speak their truth and seek the help they need. This podcast is more than just a platform—it’s a movement to spark change, spread awareness, and inspire action within families, friendships, and communities. API Intersection Stoplight Building a successful API requires more than just coding. It starts with collaborative design, focuses on creating a great developer experience, and ends with getting your company on board, maintaining consistency, and maximizing your API’s profitability.In the API Intersection, you’ll learn from experienced API practitioners who transformed their organizations, and get tangible advice to build quality APIs with collaborative API-first design.Jason Harmon brings over a decade of industry-recognized REST API experience to discuss topics around API design, governance, identity/auth versioning, and more.They’ll answer listener questions, and discuss best practices on API design (definition, modeling, grammar), Governance (multi-team design, reviewing new API’s), Platform Transformation (culture, internal education, versioning) and more.They’ll also chat with experienced API practitioners from a wide array of industries to draw out practical takeaways and insights you can use.H

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This episode was published on April 27, 2026.

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What does it actually look like when a higher education institution takes AI seriously, as something to integrate into the very design of how students learn, are assessed, and grow?In this episode, Svenia Busson sits down with the founder of Forward...

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