The Alliance for Innovation & Transformation (AFIT) is an association of innovative higher education CEOs who are committed to transforming their organizations in the face of unprecedented challenges and change.  NMC has been a participating member of this organization since its inception.  Each summer, AFIT hosts a summer institute designed to “explore strategically relevant topics with world-class learning partners from highly successful organizations from sectors outside of higher ed”.  This year’s conference, Looking Ahead to Empower the Future Today, was focused on new, disruptive technologies, including artificial intelligence. and the impact of emerging technologies on higher education 

The conference included the following learning partners who led the presentations and group discussions:

• Toshi Hoo (Keynote) – Director, Emerging Media Lab, Institute for the Future
  • Focus: Generative AI, augmented reality in higher education
  • Tools:  IFF trainings (see their website), POE and available its AI bots for generative AI (alternative to gemini) 
• Sara Skvirsky – Research Director, Institute for the Future
  • Focus:  Glimpse into the future – how to plan for the future trends and disruptions
  • Tools:  IFF foresight (brief) – brainstorming, planning tool
•  Dwayne Matthews – Future of Education and Work Strategist | Innovation Evangelist
  • Focus:  Aligning AI initiatives at your college
• Zachary Mannheimer – Founder & Board Chair, Alquist 3D
  • Focus:  3D concrete home printing 
  • Note:  Carolyn Andrews / Dan Goodchild are working with Zach on a 3d printing opportunity. 
• Matt Kirchner – President, LAB Midwest
  • Focus: Machine learning, changes in manufacturing and technology, how AI is disrupting engineering and manufacturing. 

Want to learn more? Out of all of the speakers, we thought the work that IFF is doing had the most merit for future investigation.  They have many references (paid / free) that may be of interest.   Vendors were heavy on day two and they had specific tools and products they were promoting.  

Opportunities?  The team felt that the speakers should have gone into more depth on the subject matter.  We know that AI is coming but more time to review how colleges and universities are implementing it along with more opportunities to discuss as a team would have been helpful.    That was missing from this conference.   However, this may be an opportunity for CIE or a college-focus group to move forward with.