Generation AI

By: Ardis Kadiu Dr. JC Bonilla
  • Summary

  • GenerationAI is the groundbreaking podcast designed exclusively for higher education professionals who are keen to navigate the dynamic world of Artificial Intelligence. In a landscape where AI is rapidly transforming how we teach, learn, and engage, "GenerationAI" serves as your essential guide. Each episode delves into the most pressing AI topics, breaking down complex concepts into understandable, actionable insights. Whether you're a marketer, administrator, or tech enthusiast, this show will illuminate how AI is reshaping the academic experience and what it means for the future of education. Join us as we explore the latest news, trends, and developments in AI. From data-driven decision-making to personalized engagement and learning experiences, and the ethical implications of AI in education, "GenerationAI" covers it all. With expert commentary, in-depth analysis, and a focus on practical applications, this show is dedicated to empowering higher education professionals to leverage AI for strategic advantage. "GenerationAI" isn't just about understanding AI – it's about being part of the AI revolution in education. Tune in, get informed, and be inspired to innovate in your educational space with the power of AI.
    2024 Generative AI - Enrollify Network
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Episodes
  • Element451 lands $175M, signals AI's key role in higher ed
    Dec 10 2024

    In this special episode, Ardis Kadiu and JC Bonilla discuss Element451's recent $175 million strategic investment from PSG Equity. They break down how this investment shows the market's strong belief in AI-powered student engagement. The conversation covers Element451's growth from its early days at NYU to becoming a leading AI-first platform, and what this means for higher education institutions looking to use AI for better student experiences. This funding will speed up the development of AI tools that make staff more productive while giving students 24/7 support.

    Announcing the Big News (00:00:06)

    • Introduction to special Sunday evening episode
    • Element451 receives $175 million strategic investment from PSG Equity
    • Hosts discuss the impact on AI in higher education

    Element451's Origin Story (00:03:00)

    • Started 17 years ago at NYU
    • Focus on improving student experience from website to application
    • Evolution from Spark451 agency to Element451 platform
    • Early work with predictive models and data analysis

    The AI-First Strategy (00:06:20)

    • Element451's transition to AI-first company
    • 346% customer growth since 2021
    • Strategic importance of AI in student engagement
    • Discussion of current market challenges in higher education

    AI Solutions for Higher Education (00:11:39)

    • Making staff more productive with AI tools
    • 24/7 student engagement through AI systems
    • Moving from chatbots to AI agents
    • Focus on both staff productivity and student experience

    The Future of AI in Student Engagement (00:15:21)

    • Element451 as student engagement system of record
    • Integration of data across the student lifecycle
    • Development of conversational interfaces
    • Plans for autonomous AI agents making decisions

    Building Autonomous Systems (00:17:33)

    • Moving beyond manual workflow automation
    • AI-powered decision making for student engagement
    • Creating personalized student journeys
    • System's ability to evaluate and take next best actions

    Looking Ahead (00:22:07)

    • Timeline for new AI features
    • Integration with more data sources
    • Plans for personalized recommendations
    • Discussion of student-centered AI agents

    Personal Reflections (00:29:00)

    • Impact of the investment on Element451's future
    • CEO's perspective on company milestone
    • Vision for creating value for partners and customers
    • Looking forward to next phase of growth


    - - - -

    Connect With Our Co-Hosts:
    Ardis Kadiu
    https://www.linkedin.com/in/ardis/
    https://twitter.com/ardis

    Dr. JC Bonilla
    https://www.linkedin.com/in/jcbonilla/
    https://twitter.com/jbonillx

    About The Enrollify Podcast Network:
    Generation AI is a part of the Enrollify Podcast Network. If you like this podcast, chances are you’ll like other Enrollify shows too! Some of our favorites include The EduData Podcast and Visionary Voices: The College President’s Playbook.

    Enrollify is made possible by Element451 — the next-generation AI student engagement platform helping institutions create meaningful and personalized interactions with students. Learn more at element451.com.

    Attend the 2025 Engage Summit!
    The Engage Summit is the premier conference for forward-thinking leaders and practitioners dedicated to exploring the transformative power of AI in education. Explore the strategies and tools to step into the next generation of student engagement, supercharged by AI. You'll leave ready to deliver the most personalized digital engagement experience every step of the way.

    Register now to secure your spot in Charlotte, NC, on June 24-25, 2025! Early bird registration ends February 1st -- https://engage.element451.com/register

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    34 mins
  • How Do Models Get Smarter? Pre-training, Fine-tuning, Long Context, Real-time Reasoning
    Dec 3 2024
    In this illuminating discussion, hosts JC Bonilla and Ardis Kadiu break down the four fundamental ways AI models become smarter: pre-training (long-term memory), context/prompting (short-term memory), real-time reasoning (inference-time processing), and fine-tuning (specialized learning). Using real-world examples from Bloomberg GPT and Apple's strategy, they explain why bigger models aren't always better and how companies can achieve remarkable results by intelligently combining these different approaches to model intelligence. Kadiu provides a masterclass in understanding AI model development, challenging common assumptions about specialized models while explaining why current AI capabilities are sufficient for most applications over the next 4-5 years.Post-Thanksgiving Welcome and Updates (00:00:07)Warm opening with hosts sharing Thanksgiving experiencesDiscussion of family gatherings and cooking adventuresSetting the stage for a technical but accessible conversationUnderstanding Model Intelligence: The Four Paths (00:29:06)Pre-training explained as "long-term memory" for modelsContext/prompting described as "short-term memory"Real-time reasoning capabilities during inferenceFine-tuning as a specialized learning approachHow these methods combine in practical applicationsPre-training Deep Dive (00:31:07)Explanation of the "P" in GPT (Generative Pre-trained Transformer)How pre-training works as foundational knowledgeCost implications of extensive pre-trainingTrade-offs between model size and performanceContext and Prompting Insights (00:32:44)Role of context in model performanceHow prompting provides short-term guidanceExamples of effective context usageImpact on model accuracy and resultsReal-time Reasoning Capabilities (00:34:06)How models perform inference-time reasoningInternal processing and decision-makingBenefits of self-guided problem-solvingExamples of reasoning in actionFine-tuning and Specialization (00:36:16)When and why to use fine-tuningCost benefits of specialized trainingReal-world examples of successful fine-tuningLimitations and considerationsPractical Applications and Cost Considerations (00:42:26)Analysis of decreasing model costsSpeed vs accuracy trade-offsWhen to use which approachFuture trends in model developmentIndustry Examples and Case Studies (00:47:20)Bloomberg GPT's lessons learnedApple's strategic approach to AIOpenAI's revenue modelSuccess factors in model deploymentLooking Forward: The Next 4-5 Years (00:49:13)Current capabilities vs future needsRole of evaluation and testingImportance of proper toolingBalance between innovation and practical application - - - -Connect With Our Co-Hosts:Ardis Kadiuhttps://www.linkedin.com/in/ardis/https://twitter.com/ardisDr. JC Bonillahttps://www.linkedin.com/in/jcbonilla/https://twitter.com/jbonillxAbout The Enrollify Podcast Network:Generation AI is a part of the Enrollify Podcast Network. If you like this podcast, chances are you’ll like other Enrollify shows too! Some of our favorites include The EduData Podcast and Visionary Voices: The College President’s Playbook.Enrollify is made possible by Element451 — the next-generation AI student engagement platform helping institutions create meaningful and personalized interactions with students. Learn more at element451.com. Attend the 2025 Engage Summit! The Engage Summit is the premier conference for forward-thinking leaders and practitioners dedicated to exploring the transformative power of AI in education. Explore the strategies and tools to step into the next generation of student engagement, supercharged by AI. You'll leave ready to deliver the most personalized digital engagement experience every step of the way.Register now to secure your spot in Charlotte, NC, on June 24-25, 2025! Early bird registration ends February 1st -- https://engage.element451.com/register
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    53 mins
  • AI vs. Application Fraud: Protecting Admissions from Digital Deception
    Nov 26 2024
    In this episode of Generation AI, hosts Ardis Kadiu and JC Bonilla, joined by CTO Petar, explore the growing challenge of college application fraud and Element451's innovative AI solution. They discuss how fraudulent applications impact institutions through resource theft, financial aid abuse, and system manipulation. The conversation reveals how Element451's new AI-powered fraud detection system uses behavioral data and LLM reasoning to identify suspicious applications while avoiding demographic bias. The team explains their approach of keeping humans in the loop while using advanced technology to process applications at scale.Introduction and Context (00:00:07)Hosts Ardis Kadiu and JC Bonilla welcome special guest PetarDiscussion focuses on college application fraud detectionElement451's development of AI-powered solutionUnderstanding Application Fraud (00:02:26)Impact on non-selective institutions and community colleges without application feesFraudulent applications seeking .edu email addresses for free resourcesFinancial aid fraud through fake applicationsMultiple levels of fraud affecting institutionsManual review process becoming overwhelming for schoolsCurrent Detection Methods and Challenges (00:05:05)Discussion of sophisticated fraud schemes beyond simple automationFraudsters using real data and identity theftVPN usage to mask locationsCurrent manual review processes and their limitationsTime constraints in application review during peak seasonsElement451's AI Solution: Bolt AI (00:10:16)Introduction to Bolt AI as Element451's AI frameworkMultiple factors considered in fraud detectionBehavioral data analysis approachFocus on non-demographic indicators to prevent biasKey Detection Factors (00:12:21)Time to submission analysisApplication submission patternsIP address verification and VPN detectionEmail validation and bounce rate checkingGeographic location analysisCross-system duplicate detectionAI Implementation and Reasoning (00:21:13)Use of Large Language Models (LLMs) for reasoningAdvantage over traditional rule-based systemsExplainable AI decisions with detailed reasoningProcessing of 60,000 applications in initial weeksHuman feedback integration for system improvementBias Prevention and Fair Evaluation (00:32:33)Focus on behavioral data rather than demographic informationHuman-in-the-loop approach for final decisionsImportance of transparency in decision-makingFeedback collection for system refinementOperational Impact (00:38:18)Creation of separate workflows for high-risk applicationsQuarantine system for suspicious applicationsBalance between fast processing and securityResource protection and cost savingsImproved student experience through faster legitimate application processingFuture Developments (00:42:55)Plans for generative UI in student experienceDevelopment of proactive AI systemsEnhanced personalization capabilitiesIntegration with student hubDynamic workflow planning based on student behaviorBenefits and Innovation (00:46:18)Improved data integrity in application processingTransparent decision-making processEnhanced speed without compromising securityBetter resource allocation for legitimate applications - - - -Connect With Our Co-Hosts:Ardis Kadiuhttps://www.linkedin.com/in/ardis/https://twitter.com/ardisDr. JC Bonillahttps://www.linkedin.com/in/jcbonilla/https://twitter.com/jbonillxAbout The Enrollify Podcast Network:Generation AI is a part of the Enrollify Podcast Network. If you like this podcast, chances are you’ll like other Enrollify shows too! Some of our favorites include The EduData Podcast and Visionary Voices: The College President’s Playbook.Enrollify is made possible by Element451 — the next-generation AI student engagement platform helping institutions create meaningful and personalized interactions with students. Learn more at element451.com. Attend the 2025 Engage Summit! The Engage Summit is the premier conference for forward-thinking leaders and practitioners dedicated to exploring the transformative power of AI in education. Explore the strategies and tools to step into the next generation of student engagement, supercharged by AI. You'll leave ready to deliver the most personalized digital engagement experience every step of the way.Register now to secure your spot in Charlotte, NC, on June 24-25, 2025! Early bird registration ends February 1st -- https://engage.element451.com/register
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    49 mins

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