By Kiran Kodithala and Lee Lambert
Five centuries ago, Nicolaus Copernicus challenged the prevailing belief by proposing a heliocentric model in which the Earth revolves around the sun. His 1543 manuscript sparked what historians call the Copernican Revolution—an example of how bold new ideas can overturn long-held assumptions. Throughout history, technological innovations have repeatedly disrupted established systems, creating new opportunities and reshaping societies. The invention of the printing press and the arrival of the internal combustion engine are two historical examples that not only displaced older ways of working but also created vast new industries, jobs, and possibilities. Today, artificial intelligence (AI) may be the next transformative force—our modern Model T moment.
If harnessed thoughtfully, AI could elevate living standards, expand freedoms, and open fresh opportunities for individuals, organizations, and communities. As practical optimists, we believe AI presents a chance to improve access to education, streamline services, and unlock new kinds of work. Just as ATMs reshaped banking, ride-hailing apps transformed transportation, and smartphones changed how we interact with technology, AI will remake many aspects of business and daily life.
AI and the business of business
Before assessing AI’s effects on the U.S. labor market, it helps to outline four domains where AI amplifies human work: Robotic Process Automation (RPA), Insights, Engagement, and Creation.
RPA
Robotic Process Automation automates repetitive human-computer interactions using bots that perform high-volume, error-free tasks. In higher education, an AI-enabled RPA connected to enterprise resource planning (ERP) and learning management systems (LMS) could detect patterns in student data and enable predictive, individualized learning plans. By linking administrative and instructional systems, RPA can reduce manual workloads and personalize student support at scale.
Insights
AI-driven analytics help organizations forecast trends and make better decisions. This includes predictive analytics for future outcomes, sentiment analysis to assess customer or student feedback, and real-time processing of streaming data from IoT devices or online interactions. These capabilities let institutions and businesses react faster and plan more effectively.
Engagement
AI can tailor user experiences through personalized content and recommendations. Chatbots and virtual assistants provide conversational support for customers and students. Emotion recognition technologies can improve service quality by interpreting real-time signals from voice and facial cues. Together, these tools create more responsive and user-centric interactions.
Creation
AI now assists in generating written content, artwork, music, and video; it supports product design by predicting trends and preferences; and it helps automate software development through code generation, testing, and debugging. These creative and technical applications unlock new forms of innovation while boosting productivity.
Across industries, AI adds intelligence and adaptability to existing systems, enabling more efficient and personalized outcomes. In healthcare, AI-powered diagnostics and predictive tools can improve patient care and reduce costs. In finance, AI reshapes risk assessment, personalized banking, and investment strategies. In education, AI can personalize learning, adapt content to individual styles, and surface relevant resources by integrating student data.
Upskilling for the future
As AI reshapes job roles across sectors, reskilling and upskilling become essential. Rapid change will expand beyond traditionally technical fields to many industry verticals. Building AI literacy, learning data analytics, and adopting a mindset of continuous learning are vital steps for professionals. The most resilient workers will develop skills that complement AI—critical thinking, complex problem solving, creativity, and digital fluency.
Major global studies indicate substantial workforce shifts: a significant portion of jobs will change in the coming years, and many workers will require training to remain competitive. Employers will need to recruit for skills rather than credentials and broaden hiring strategies to include overlooked talent pools. Colleges and universities should align curricula and training with labor-market demands and expand work-based learning to ensure that students and workers gain relevant, up-to-date competencies.
Higher education institutions are well-positioned to lead this reskilling effort. If millions of workers require new skills, colleges can help bridge that gap through targeted programs, certificate courses, and partnerships with employers that emphasize applied learning.
Higher education and AI: improving access for every student
The rapid rise of large language models and conversational AI—exemplified by widely accessible tools—has made advanced AI interactions mainstream. These tools can organize vast amounts of information and respond in natural language, and they will likely be embedded into many applications and services. Institutions that adopt AI thoughtfully will improve operational efficiency and the student experience; those that resist risk falling behind.
Higher education remains a cornerstone of societal advancement, but it faces affordability, accessibility, and administrative challenges. Legacy systems, siloed data, and complex procedures can frustrate students and staff. AI presents an opportunity to rethink and modernize the student experience beyond simple chatbots—by integrating data, automating routine tasks, and enhancing decision-making.
The AI search bar will replace website search.
Campus websites often force users to click through many pages to find answers. Institutions will increasingly embed AI-driven search bars that surface relevant, accurate information quickly—using the website as a content repository while the AI presents concise responses.
AI chatbots will enable student services
Students still navigate long lines and manual processes in many administrative offices. Secure AI chatbots connected to student information systems can provide personalized answers—such as account balances, financial aid status, registration dates, and graduation requirements—without requiring staff intervention. When properly governed, these chatbots can improve service speed while protecting privacy and compliance requirements.
AI will make self-service portals obsolete
Many self-service portals are built on outdated architectures that make user tasks cumbersome. A secure AI platform linked to student records and course catalogs can recommend appropriate coursework, guide registration, and simplify administrative interactions using conversational prompts rather than complex menus.
AI can help make student success possible
Institutions have invested heavily in retention programs, early alert systems, and advising, but fragmented data and siloed systems have limited impact. A connected, privacy-preserving AI platform that aggregates data from housing, dining, learning management, and other campus systems can identify at-risk students earlier and surface actionable interventions. Secure, FERPA-compliant AI tools could help advisors and support staff intervene more effectively to improve retention and completion rates.
AI will fundamentally reshape education
AI can accelerate learning by helping students grasp complex concepts more quickly and move beyond rote memorization. Concerns about misuse—such as plagiarism—mirror past worries about calculators or spell-checkers. These challenges can be managed through institutional guardrails: private AI deployments, plagiarism detection, configurable training datasets, and controls aligned with curricular goals.
Should people fear that AI will eliminate their jobs?
Concern about jobs is understandable. Some roles will change or disappear, but new roles and industries will emerge. AI excels at automating repetitive tasks, freeing people to focus on creative, strategic, and interpersonal work. The task ahead is to ensure broad access to reskilling and continuous learning so workers can transition into higher-value roles. In doing so, society can leverage AI to tackle large-scale challenges—from climate solutions to global health—and create meaningful new opportunities.
About the authors
Kiran Kodithala is a technology leader with more than 25 years of experience in educational technology. As founder and CEO of N2N Services Inc., he has guided the development of integrations and platforms that help educational institutions use data and AI securely to improve student outcomes. His work includes products such as Illuminate and LightLeap.ai, focusing on AI-driven, privacy-preserving solutions for higher education.
Lee D. Lambert is Chancellor of the Foothill–De Anza Community College District and a veteran community college executive. Lambert has led institutional transformations emphasizing workforce alignment, equity, student success, and professional development. He advocates for inclusive hiring and educational strategies that prepare students for changing labor-market demands.
This article was first published on Learning Counsel research institute and news media hub.