Voices of Innovation

What can video games teach us about the future of education—and AI?In this episode of Voices of Innovation, Lev Gonick sits down with Deirdre Quarnstrom, Vice President of Education at Microsoft, for a fascinating conversation recorded at the 2026 ASU+GSV Summit.From her unconventional journey from Xbox to education leadership, Deirdre shares how game design principles are transforming how students learn—and how those same lessons are shaping the future of AI in the classroom.In this episode, you’ll discover:• How Minecraft became a global tool for learning and creativity in classrooms• Why “productive struggle” and engagement are key to student success• How game-based learning builds skills like collaboration, problem-solving, and persistence• The parallels between early skepticism of gaming in education and today’s AI adoption• Why starting small is critical when implementing AI in education• What an AI-powered future could look like for educators and studentsDeirdre also shares her perspective on where we are in the AI hype cycle—and why the focus should shift from technology to real educational outcomes.Voices of Innovation is a podcast series featuring bold thinkers exploring the impact of technology on society and the future of education.This episode was recorded at the 2026 ASU+GSV Summit.Subscribe for more conversations at the intersection of technology, learning, and innovation.#AIinEducation #GameBasedLearning #EdTech #MinecraftEducation #HigherEducation #ASUGSV #VoicesOfInnovation

How are universities rethinking education in the age of AI?In this episode of Voices of Innovation, Mark Milliron, President of National University and proud Sun Devil, joins host Lev Gonick to explore innovative approaches to teaching, learning, and leadership in a rapidly changing landscape.From practical AI frameworks to whole-human education, this conversation highlights how institutions can evolve to better serve today’s learners.In this episode, you’ll learn:• How National University’s Raise 5 framework is guiding faculty use of AI• What the “Anders” model means for whole-human education• How universities can adapt to meet the needs of modern students• Why innovation in higher education requires both strategy and empathySubscribe for more conversations at the intersection of technology, leadership, and the future of education.#HigherEducation #AIinEducation #EdInnovation #Leadership #VoicesOfInnovation

What does it take to build an AI-ready university?In this episode of Voices of Innovation, Lev Gonick sits down with Bridget Burns, CEO of the University Innovation Alliance, to explore how higher education leaders are navigating the rapidly evolving AI landscape.Drawing from conversations with institutional leaders across the country, Bridget shares what she’s hearing on the frontlines—and what it really takes to scale innovation in today’s environment.In this episode, you’ll discover:• What higher ed leaders are saying about AI right now• How institutions can effectively scale innovation with AI• The key traits of an AI-ready university• Why collaboration is critical in times of transformationVoices of Innovation is a podcast series featuring bold thinkers exploring the impact of technology on society.All episodes in Drop 3 were recorded at the 2026 ASU+GSV Summit.Subscribe for more conversations on the future of education and technology.#HigherEducation #AIinEducation #Innovation #EdLeaders #ASUGSV #VoicesOfInnovation

Change is coming to higher education—are we ready for it?In this episode of Voices of Innovation, Eloy Ortiz Oakley, President of the College Futures Foundation and host of The Rant Podcast, joins Lev Gonick for a timely conversation on the evolving higher education landscape.Together, they explore what the future holds for community colleges and why strong leadership is more critical than ever in navigating disruption.In this episode, you’ll hear:• How the higher education marketplace is shifting• The future role of community colleges• Why leadership is key during times of transformation• The growing impact of AI in community college systemsWant more from Lev? Check out The Rant Podcast for deeper insights on topics like “Agentic AI and the Student Experience.”Subscribe for more conversations on innovation, technology, and the future of education.

How is technology shaping the future of global education?This week on Voices of Innovation, Cintana CEO Rick Shangraw joins host Lev Gonick for a conversation recorded at the 2026 ASU+GSV Summit. From helping launch the summit to leading a global education network, Rick shares a unique perspective on where education and technology are headed.In this episode, Rick discusses:• His role in the origins of the ASU+GSV Summit• The story behind Cintana and its global mission• Where technology fits into today’s education ecosystem• What the future of global education could look like Voices of Innovation brings together leaders and innovators shaping the future of technology and education.Subscribe for new conversations on innovation, leadership, and the future of learning.#GlobalEducation #EdTech #AIinEducation #Innovation #ASUGSV #VoicesOfInnovation

In this episode of Voices of Innovation, ASU’s Lev Gornick sits down with Amanda Bickerstaff, Founder & CEO of AI for Education, to unpack the reality of AI adoption in schools.From her early days as a high school teacher in the Bronx to leading one of the largest AI education coalitions in the U.S., Amanda shares why AI isn’t just a technology shift—it’s a leadership and systems challenge.Despite the hype, schools are struggling with fragmentation, fear, and uncertainty. So what’s the path forward?In this conversation:Why AI literacy is now a must-have skill for students and teachersThe biggest barriers to AI adoption in K–12 educationWhy AI is a leadership problem—not just an IT projectHow a grassroots movement is reaching thousands of school districtsA practical framework for safe, ethical, and effective AI useAmanda also breaks down her team’s approach to scaling AI literacy—from free tools and prompt libraries to building a national roadmap for AI in education.If you care about the future of learning, this is a must-watch.

What happens when AI meets education — and why does it feel like we’re only at the beginning?In this episode of Voices of Innovation, ASU CIO Lev Gonick sits down with GSV Founder and CEO Michael Moe to explore the future of learning, the rise of AI, and why education is at a major inflection point.From the evolution of edtech to the explosive potential of AI, Michael shares why today’s moment is the start of a transformation that could redefine how the world learns. They dive into global opportunities, shifting perceptions of higher education, and what it will take for leaders to rethink the system from the ground up.Key topics include:Why AI is like “electricity” for educationThe shift from EdTech to AI-powered learningDeclining trust in traditional higher educationGlobal opportunities shaping the future of learningWhy courage is the most important leadership trait right nowWhether you’re an educator, innovator, or just curious about the future, this conversation challenges how we think about learning, access, and opportunity in an AI-driven world.

AI is transforming education – and that transformation is creeping into adjacent industries. Brad Wolverton discusses the urgency and the adaptability of journalism in a world driven by AI, particularly when covering AI in higher education.Back in the editor’s seat, Wolverton covers the biggest stories on higher education, including political, technological, and economic coverage. “But what we really need to do is also meet this, the needs of the audience,” Wolverton said. “Not just because, as you say, we're facing all this upheaval around political disruption, economic disruption on campuses, all kinds of challenges there. But, there's also the challenges of, ‘How do you meet people in the media at a moment like this?’”Editor of The Chronicle of Higher Education, Brad Wolverton covers the biggest stories shaping colleges and universities. Wolverton, an award winning journalist and media leader, has led editorial teams for various tech-industry giants, such as Hubspot Media. His career includes bylines in The New York Times, The Washington Post, Business Week, USA Today, and more. For Wolverton, AI is the biggest thing changing the landscape of education, but that’s not all AI is reaching for.This episode was filmed at the Agentic AI and the Student Experience Summit in Tempe, hosted by ASU Enterprise Technology.

For Melissa Vito, the key to innovation centers on meeting the students where they are. Vito talks with Lev Gonick about framing AI innovations to support the needs of students. Rather than the kneejerk reaction of villainizing AI in education, Vito redirects the mindset into a framework that meets students where they are with AI and then stepping forward. “Innovation and thinking about the future while you stand on the past  – they can’t exist alone,” Vito said.Melissa Vito is Vice Provost for Academic Innovation at the University of Texas at San Antonio. Vito consults corporate and higher education institutions, providing market research analysis and implementing strategic planning initiatives in order to improve online learning environments. Vito prioritizes future-focused leadership, creating an informed infrastructure for fully online programs at UTSA, and driving modality-agnostic innovative teaching and learning.This episode was filmed at the Agentic AI and the Student Experience Summit in Tempe, hosted by ASU Enterprise Technology.

Futurists do not simply predict the future – they think systematically about the future and prepare for opportunities.In this episode, Marina Gorbis deconstructs the sense of disruption against the sense of opportunity with rising AI use in higher education with Lev Gonick. “AI is entering into our basic infrastructure just like electricity or water or oxygen, it’s become a part of everything,” Gorbis said. “How it’s going to happen is really going to depend on us.”Marina Gorbis, Executive Director for the Institute for the Future, is never focused on hindsight. Instead, she focuses her attention on foresight, and looking ahead into what the future might have in store. Currently, Gorbis’ research focuses on the transformations in the world of work, and she has launched several initiatives geared towards developing a deeper understanding of new work patterns. Author of, The Nature of the Future: Dispatches from the Social Structured World, Gorbis draws the connection between technological infrastructure innovation, and changes in organizational landscapes, impacting all industries.This episode was filmed at the Agentic AI and the Student Experience Summit in Tempe, hosted by ASU Enterprise Technology.

In this episode, Phil Komarny discusses the meaning behind business technology numbers with Lev Gonick. According to Kormarny, it’s not just enough to be knowledgeable about the latest in technology – it’s important to look at the data and understand the language of that data in order to create innovative solutions.The key to transformation is in the language of business data. “We've been able to really uncover so many automations and so many inhumane tasks that we've given people to do,” Komarny said. “Machines need to do that now, and we can do really creative things, and that's how we're seeing it transform.”Phil Komarny is the Founder and CEO of My LifeTrek Network, an AI learning solutions startup, and Chief Futures Officer at Maryville University, where he dedicates his time tailoring the technological evolution to the learning experiences of students. His goal is to ensure that students are prepared for an AI-saturated world after they graduate, honing in their skills and tactics so that they can seamlessly integrate into the working world. For Komarny, it’s not just about the AI – it’s about the data and customization behind the AI.This episode was filmed at the Agentic AI and the Student Experience Summit in Tempe, hosted by ASU Enterprise Technology.

The constellation of literacies approach to education strategy embraces a culture of openness and inclusion, ensuring innovations such as AI so as to include learners from all backgrounds.In this episode, Gunder discusses the interconnection of literacies with Lev Gonick, opening up the conversation around who gains privilege and power when these literacies are decided.“For me the biggest thing really was looking at the world through the sociocultural lens of learning, and particularly understanding literacies, plural, as opposed to literacy as a binary,” Gunder said.Angela Gunder is CEO and Founder of Opened Culture, a collaborative and strategic consultancy organization that works to bridge gaps between educational institutions and communities. Gunder recently won the inaugural 2025 Humanitarian Award, established by ASU to honor remarkable individuals whose work exemplifies the power of leadership, compassion, and systemic change. Gunder’s work with Opened Culture allows her to advance academic innovation on a global scale, through cultures of openness, inclusivity and empowerment.This episode was filmed at the Agentic AI and the Student Experience Summit in Tempe, hosted by ASU Enterprise Technology.

By leveraging the anti-silo mindset, agentic AI can elevate the user’s ability to create, add, and improve even faster and smarter than before.Vala Afshar speaks with Lev Gonick on the release of his new book, Autonomous: Why the Fittest Businesses Embrace AI-First Strategies and Digital Labor, and on the value of lifelong learners. For Afshar, staying teachable and embracing the new and improved, is imperative to embracing the anti-silo mindset. “It’s not companies or institutions that disrupt, it’s people that disrupt,” Afshar said.Vala Afshar is Chief Digital Evangelist for Salesforce, and author of bestselling books, The Pursuit of Social Business Excellence, Autonomous: Why the Fittest Businesses Embrace AI-First Strategies and Digital Labor, and Boundless: A New Mindset for Unlimited Business. A storyteller and an expert in upcoming digital business transformation, Afshar frequently gives key business innovation insights while keeping the conversation open for new ideas as a top marketing officer.This episode was filmed at the Agentic AI and the Student Experience Summit in Tempe, hosted by ASU Enterprise Technology.

Sasha Thackaberry-Voinovich, Strategic Advisor and former President for SkillsWavehttps://www.linkedin.com/in/sashatberr/Sasha Thackaberry-Voinovich is starting a new university: New State University.Join Sasha Thackaberry-Voinovich and Lev Gonick on Voices of Innovation as they discuss Thackaberry-Voinovich newest project launch - a new university. According to Thackaberry-Voinovich, the university is certificate-first, competency-based, and will allow students to pursue individual certificates all the way to a Masters’ degree.Sasha Thackaberry-Voinovich is a higher education leader in innovative learning models and the effective use of eLearning systems, who has supported teams and grown enrollments across a range of institutions, including as the Vice President of Student and Partner Services at Pearson, as Vice President for Online and Continuing Education at Louisiana State University, and more.This episode was filmed at the 2025 ASU+GSV Summit in San Diego.

Anne Keehn, CEO at Quantum Thinkinghttps://www.linkedin.com/in/annekkeehn/How do you make sense of new technology? Anne Keehn poses the question along with the problem among innovators in ed-tech: the capacity to lead innovation in higher education institutions.Anne Keehn is the latest guest on Voices of Innovation, a podcast hosted by Lev Gonick.Anne is a global executive with cross-sector leadership experience in education, technology, and philanthropy, with expertise in public private partnerships, business development, sales, marketing, new product development and social impact.This episode was filmed at the 2025 ASU+GSV Summit in San Diego.

Ellen Levy, Managing Director at Silicon Valley Connecthttps://www.linkedin.com/in/ellenlevy/The natural convergence of technology and education has led to a breaking of education-silos.Ellen Levy discusses the evolution of ed-tech with Lev Gonick in this episode of Voices of Innovation. “You see this convergence happening where you have these top founders who are very technically savvy saying, ‘there’s a reason I also studied psychology.,’” shares Ellen. Ellen Levy is a Senior Advisor to the President at Arizona State University and Managing Director of Silicon Valley Connect, working with organizations and entrepreneurs on driving innovation while also managing an angel investment portfolio of 50+ startups; she spends her time focused on technology-led innovation across sectors including financial services, healthcare and education with a particular interest in rapidly-growing startups and on issues related to the “Future of Work.”This episode was filmed at the 2025 ASU+GSV Summit in San Diego.

Kemi Jona, Vice Provost for Online Education and Digital Innovation at University of Virginiahttps://www.linkedin.com/in/kemijona/Kemi Jona jumps in the podcast booth with Voices of Innovation host Lev Gonick. In his current role, Kemi serves as the Vice Provost for Online Education and Digital Innovation at University of VirginiaTogether, Kemi and Lev discuss the role of AI in university course materials, credit transfers, and even multi-university frameworks to enhance both instructor and student experiences.Kemi also unveils his approach to education and employer partnerships as a pathway to bridging the skills gap in today’s world of quickly evolving technology.Kemi Jona has worked at the forefront of the learning sciences and learning technologies fields for over 25 years, joining the University of Virginia Provost’s Office in November 2023 as Vice Provost-Online Education and Digital Innovation.This episode was filmed at the 2025 ASU+GSV Summit in San Diego.

Rahim Rajan, CEO at AQL Labs & Vice-Chair at Seattle Colleges Foundationhttps://www.linkedin.com/in/rahimsrajan/“The biggest opportunity we have in front of us is educating the billions,” Rahim Rajan. Rahim joins host Lev Gonick for Voices of Innovation. Educating the billions, not the millions, on innovation in technology is Rahim Rajan’s mission with AQL Labs. Join the discussion with Rajan and Lev Gonick on modernizing and optimizing higher education institution legacies.Rahim has worked at the forefront of technological advances in higher education - assisting institutions in leveraging the newest innovations in technology.This episode was filmed at the 2025 ASU+GSV Summit in San Diego.

Kyrsten Sinema, U.S. Senator, Ret. and Professor of Practice at ASU“I watched a lot of kids fall through the cracks because our education system wasn’t designed and wasn’t equipped with the tools to help kids with neurodivergent experiences learn in the ways that worked for them,” says retired U.S. Senator Kyrsten Sinema on the most recent episode of Voices of Innovation.In the episode, Kyrsten Sinema reflects on her ASU career and passion for instruction as she reaches her 23rd year of teaching. And at the 2025 ASU+GSV Summit, Sinema unveiled the launching of the Spark Center for Innovation in Learning, focused on learning diversity, at ASU.Learn more about the Spark Center: https://publicservice.asu.edu/spark Over her 20-year career in public service, Kyrsten Sinema served Arizona in the State House and Senate, as a Member of the United States House of Representatives, and most recently in the United States Senate. Kyrsten earned a Masters of Social Work, PhD, J.D., and MBA from Arizona State University, currently serves as the President and CEO of the Arizona Business Roundtable and is a Professor of Practice at the Arizona State University School of Social Work.This episode was filmed at the 2025 ASU+GSV Summit in San Diego.

Claire Zau, Partner and AI Lead with GSV Ventureshttps://www.linkedin.com/in/clairezau/Claire Zau is up next in Voices of Innovation with host Lev Gonick. From ChatGPT, to audio and video and now multi-modality — Claire reflects on the fast-paced evolution of generative AI to agentic AI with Lev Gonick, and highlights the future of AI use in the marketplace. “Every company is an AI-education company,” Zau says.Claire Zau leads GSV’s AI investment coverage and has worn many hats across both the GSV Ventures investment team along with the ASU + GSV Summit team, where she collaborates with thought leaders across the edtech ecosystem to develop program and thought leadership. Sign up for Claire’s newsletter on AI and education: https://aieducation.substack.com/ This episode was filmed at the 2025 ASU+GSV Summit in San Diego.