In this episode, Amir sits down with David Marchick, Dean of the Kogod School of Business at American University, to explore how AI is transforming higher education. From early skepticism to full-scale integration, David shares how his faculty is embracing generative AI—not just as a tool, but as a cornerstone of future-ready learning. The conversation dives into what it means to prepare students for an AI-infused workplace, the ethical dilemmas that arise, and how this technology could either widen or bridge existing academic gaps.

🔑 Key Takeaways:

AI Integration Is No Longer Optional: David emphasizes that resisting AI is like banning calculators—students will use it, so schools must evolve to teach responsible and effective use.

Education Must Mirror the Workplace: From proofreading to prototyping, AI skills are becoming table stakes in modern careers. Schools must prepare students accordingly.

AI as an Equalizer—or Divider: While AI tutoring tools can democratize learning, lack of access at under-resourced schools could deepen educational inequality.

Faculty Need Retraining Too: Teachers are being retrained with help from industry to effectively embed AI into their disciplines—from finance to marketing.

🧠 Quote:

“You won’t be replaced by AI. But you could be replaced by someone who knows how to use AI.” — David Marchick

⏱️ Timestamped Highlights:

00:00 – Introduction to David Marchick and American University’s approach to AI in education

01:15 – Why early academic response was to ban AI—and why that’s changing

03:30 – Shifting from fear to experimentation: How the Kogod faculty embraced AI

06:45 – Balancing original student work with AI assistance

09:00 – Teaching students to question AI and use it responsibly

12:20 – Will AI adoption in education be fast or slow? Marchick predicts years, not decades

14:50 – AI exacerbating the education gap: The equity question

16:15 – Use case: How AI tutors are built and used in quantitative graduate programs

18:45 – Writing, equity, and how AI may lift weaker students without eliminating learning

20:45 – Broader career implications: How AI reshapes job boundaries and skillsets

22:30 – Marketing example: Cutting down design debates with generative tools

24:45 – How to learn more about Kogod’s AI curriculum and initiatives