Everyone in higher ed knows that AI transformation is happening fast, and Tom Andriola, Chief Digital Officer at UC-Irvine, is helping lead the charge. Tom joins Brian to share how his institution is approaching generative AI not with hesitation, but with urgency. From chatbots in admissions to one-to-one learning in the classroom, Tom walks us through UC-Irvine’s strategy for scaling innovation across the institution. He also reflects on the broader sector challenges, such as rising regulation, student ROI concerns, and workplace readiness, and why AI can’t just be an efficiency tool, but a vehicle for transformational change.

Join us as we discuss: 

• [2:00] Letting innovators lead the charge in AI integration and change management 
• [12:00] Why schools need to let their teams play with AI as a sparring partner
• [21:45] Kickstarting faculty conversations around building an AI strategy

To hear this interview and many more like it, subscribe on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, or our website, or search for AI for U with Brian Piper in your favorite podcast player.

Episode prompt: 

"You are a dual-domain expert: (1) a specialist in large language model (LLM) memory systems and (2) an experienced business strategist and planner.
Your task is to create a structured, comprehensive document in canvas view that can serve as a foundational dataset for training an LLM to understand and represent my [personal brand/business] from scratch.

Before writing the document, ask clarifying questions to gather any essential information you need.

Deliverables:

• A detailed document containing all relevant, useful, and structured knowledge about my [personal brand/business].
• Include aspects such as brand voice, values, origin story, services/products, target audience, tone, visuals, positioning, messaging, and strategic goals.
• Organize this as if it were training data for onboarding a model unfamiliar with me or my brand.
• Treat this as a backup archive that should be detailed, high-fidelity, and long-lasting.

Take your time to ensure accuracy and depth."

Guest Name: Tom Andriola, Vice Chancellor and Chief Digital Officer, UC Irvine

Guest Social: https://www.linkedin.com/in/tomandriola/

Guest Bio: Tom Andriola is UC Irvine’s Vice Chancellor and Chief Digital Officer. His role is designed to ensure the strategic use of data and technology, drive interdisciplinary partnerships, and champion digital strategies that expand UC Irvine’s role as a leading research university, healthcare provider & community partner.  Some of his marquee programs under his offices have included the development of a curated AI-platform for innovation called ZotGPT,  the institution's data-driven student success initiative called Compass, and the development of the big healthcare data platform for healthcare, which exists under UC Irvine's Institute for Precision Health.

- - - -

Connect With Our Host:
Brian Piper
https://www.linkedin.com/in/brianwpiper/

About The Enrollify Podcast Network:
AI for U is a part of the Enrollify Podcast Network. If you like this podcast, chances are you’ll like other Enrollify shows too! 

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