Share
))
HBO and The Ringer's Bill Simmons hosts the most downloaded sports podcast of all time, with a rotating crew of celebrities, athletes, and media staples, as well as mainstays like Cousin Sal, Joe House, and a slew of other friends and family members who always happen to be suspiciously available.
…
continue reading
Manage episode 516175642 series 3677913
Content provided by Kyron Learning. All podcast content including episodes, graphics, and podcast descriptions are uploaded and provided directly by Kyron Learning or their podcast platform partner. If you believe someone is using your copyrighted work without your permission, you can follow the process outlined here https://staging.podcastplayer.com/legal.
In this episode, host Kelsey Peterson is joined by Dr. Peter Folliard, Dean of the School of Music and Vice President for Innovation at Augustana University. Together, they explore how a lifelong musician and conductor became one of higher education’s most forward-thinking AI innovators bridging creativity, leadership, and technology in surprising ways.
From conducting at the White House with the U.S. Air Force Band to leading Augustana’s AI Task Force, Dr. Folliard shares his journey of discovering how the arts and artificial intelligence can amplify human potential. He discusses how his team built a university-wide AI strategy, launched the AI at AU initiative, and introduced “Welcome to the Future,” a first-year seminar where every student learns to use AI responsibly to write, build, and create at an accelerated level.
Dr. Folliard also dives into how AI is reshaping music education, expanding access and creativity for students and educators alike from custom GPTs and on-prem language models to generative music tools like Suno AI. He reflects on what it means to prepare students not for our past, but for their future, emphasizing flexibility, entrepreneurship, and the power of lifelong learning.
Whether you’re an educator, creative professional, or simply curious about how human artistry and artificial intelligence can coexist, this episode offers a fascinating look at how innovation and imagination are transforming higher education.
Key Moments
05:10 Building Augustana’s AI Task Force
07:29 Creating a Campus AI Glossary and Policy
09:52 Teaching “Welcome to the Future”
11:31 Empowering Students through Responsible AI Use
14:03 Launching an On-Prem LLM with NVIDIA
16:01 Partnering with Google for an AI Summit
17:30 The Role of AI in Music Creation
21:34 Accessibility and Digital Music Sharing
24:02 Redesigning Music Curriculum for 2025
25:28 Teaching Flexibility and the Gig Mindset
28:11 The New Skill: Learning How to Learn
Why You’ll Love This Episode:
If you’re passionate about the intersection of creativity, technology, and education, you’ll love this conversation with Dr. Peter Folliard. As both a conductor and innovator, he shares how Augustana University is preparing students to thrive in an AI-driven world—without losing the human heart of learning. From teaching freshmen to harness AI for writing and research to using generative tools that democratize music creation, Dr. Folliard shows what it means to lead with imagination, courage, and curiosity.
Connect with Dr. Peter Folliard
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/peter-j-folliard
Website: https://www.augie.edu/
Follow Us On
Host LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/kelsey-peterson-b80171142/
Company LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/kyronlearning/
Company Website: https://www.kyronlearning.com/
Enjoyed this episode?
Subscribe to The Signals Podcast and leave us a review!
Share this episode with educators, innovators, and anyone who believes in the power of learning, creativity, and technology to move education forward.
14 episodes
