Learning Futures Podcast

Generative AI has quickly become part of the everyday reality of higher education. But while there's been tremendous attention on what students are doing with AI, we hear much less about something equally important: How are the people who design and deliver learning actually using it themselves? Today, we're going to look beyond speculation and talk about what AI use actually looks like in practice, how faculty and instructional designers are incorporating these tools into their professional work, what they're learning along the way, and what this may mean for faculty development and the future of teaching and learning.

Kristen Chorba is an Instructional Designer with the University Center for Assessment, Teaching, and Technology at the University of Arizona. She partners with faculty and instructors to design online courses that reflect their goals, teaching style, and course context, while supporting meaningful student learning.

Her work centers on the intersection of pedagogy and emerging technologies, with particular attention to how generative AI is shaping higher education practice, critical thinking, and the co-creation of knowledge. She emphasizes responsible use and critical evaluation of AI outputs, and contributes to AI-focused initiatives including faculty workshops, invited presentations, written resources, and applied research in higher education.

Kristen is currently leading an IRB-approved research study examining how instructional designers and faculty are using AI in their day-to-day work. Her work highlights how AI is integrated into real tasks and decision-making, rather than abstract or hypothetical use.

She holds a Ph.D. in Educational Psychology and an M.Ed. in Higher Education Administration from Kent State University.

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Jess Zeitler is a bilingual Instructional Designer with the University Center for Assessment, Teaching, and Technology (UCATT) at the University of Arizona. Her work spans bilingual and multilingual course design, curriculum development, and faculty collaboration, with a focus on building inclusive, culturally responsive learning experiences.She speaks and presents on bilingual learning environments, instructional design in higher education, and the thoughtful integration of generative AI into course design—exploring how these tools can streamline workflows, improve access, and expand what's possible for diverse student populations.Jess is part of the research team behind an IRB-approved study examining how instructional designers and faculty are using generative AI in their day-to-day work, led by Dr. Kristen Chorba. She has co-presented findings from this project at UPCEA's 2026 Annual Conference and the UPCEA Digital Teaching & Learning Conference.She holds a Ph.D. in Spanish Literature, Language, History & Culture and an M.S.Ed. in Instructional Design.

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👉🏻 Connect with ⁠Dr. Kristen Chorba on LinkedIn

👉🏻 Connect with ⁠Dr. Jessica Zeitler on LinkedIn

👉🏻 Connect with Dr. Matt Larcin on:

• ​👨🏻‍💼 Follow Matt on ⁠⁠LinkedIn⁠⁠
• ​🌐 Visit Matt's ⁠⁠Website⁠⁠ to learn more
• ​📲 Follow ⁠⁠Dr. Matt Larcin on Instagram
• ​🗞️ ⁠⁠Subscribe⁠⁠ to Age of AI in Higher Education Weekly Newsletter on LinkedIn, published by Dr. Matt Larcin

In this episode of The Future of Learning Podcast, I sit down with Dr. Tiffany Snyder and Dr. Tasha Bleistein of Indiana Wesleyan University to explore what AI literacy looks like beyond the hype.

Rather than focusing on urgency or fear, this conversation centers on faculty agency, institutional culture, and thoughtful change. Together, we unpack how AI literacy can be embedded into courses without overwhelming faculty, how integrity conversations can shift from enforcement to formation, and how institutions can cultivate ecosystems of support instead of one-time training events.

From AI-enhanced course refresh institutes to discipline-specific innovation and human-centered policy design, this episode offers a grounded look at how higher education can respond to AI with clarity, care, and courage.

If you're navigating AI in your own institution and wondering how to move from resistance to resilience this conversation is for you.

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👉🏻 Connect with Dr. Tasha Bleistein on Linkedin

👉🏻 Connect with Dr. Tiffany Snyder on Linkedin

👉🏻 Connect with Dr. Matt Larcin on:

• ​👨🏻‍💼 Follow Matt on ⁠⁠⁠LinkedIn⁠⁠⁠
• ​🌐 Visit Matt's ⁠⁠⁠Website⁠⁠⁠ to learn more
• ​📲 Follow ⁠⁠⁠Dr. Matt Larcin⁠ on Instagram
• ​🗞️ ⁠⁠⁠Subscribe⁠⁠⁠ to Age of AI in Higher Education Weekly Newsletter on LinkedIn, published by Dr. Matt Larcin

In this episode, I sit down with Chris Lele, educator, author, and longtime voice in the world of learning innovation to explore how artificial intelligence is reshaping the way we teach, train, and develop new skills. Together, we dive into what it really means for AI to act as a true learning partner: not just a tool that delivers answers, but a dynamic collaborator that adapts, guides, and accelerates human understanding.

We discuss the emerging role of AI in adult learning and professional training, the opportunities it creates for more personalized and effective education, and the challenges we must navigate as these technologies continue to evolve. From the future of digital tutoring to the ethics of machine-mediated learning, this deep-dive conversation offers a thoughtful look at how we and the machines we build will learn together.

If you're curious about where education is headed next, or how AI might transform the way you grow and develop in your career, this episode is for you.

Chris Lele's Bio:

Educator. Data scientist. AI provocateur. Chris Lele is the founder of Elevate AI Coaching, a consultancy at the forefront of generative AI and learning innovation. After two decades shaping how students prepare for the GRE and SAT, Chris now focuses on helping organizations bridge the gap between human creativity and AI capability. His mission: to redefine learning for an age where technology can think with us, not just for us. 

About Elevate AI Coaching

Elevate AI Coaching helps people make meaning out of technology. Founded by educator and AI provocateur Chris Lele, Elevate teaches organizations and individuals how to think with AI, not just about it. From hands-on workshops to the Prompt Engineering & AI Literacy Masterclass on Udemy, Elevate helps learners and leaders turn AI into a true thought partner, one that amplifies creativity, curiosity, and human insight.

Coaching website: elevateaicoaching.com

Udemy Masterclass

LinkedIn: Chris Lele

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👉🏻 Connect with Dr. Matt Larcin on:

• ​👨🏻‍💼 Follow Matt on ⁠⁠⁠LinkedIn⁠⁠⁠
• ​🌐 Visit Matt's ⁠⁠⁠Website⁠⁠⁠ to learn more
• ​📲 Follow ⁠⁠⁠Dr. Matt Larcin⁠ on Instagram
• ​🗞️ ⁠⁠⁠Subscribe⁠⁠⁠ to Age of AI in Higher Education Weekly Newsletter on LinkedIn, published by Dr. Matt Larcin

On today’s episode, we are joined by Dr. Linda Berberich! Dr. Linda Berberich, Founder and Chief Learning Architect at Linda B. Learning, a consulting company based in the greater Seattle area, focused on innovation in learning design and learning technology. With a 30-year track record of designing learning experiences and technologies that revolutionize how people learn, her expertise helps leaders develop innovative learning products in record time.

👉🏻 Feel Free to Connect with Linda on:

• ​Visit Linda's Website
• ​Follow Linda on LinkedIn
• ​Follow Linda's Business Page on LinkedIn
• ​Subscribe to Linda's YouTube Channel
• ​Make an Appointment on Calendly
• ​Subscribe to Linda's Newsletter

👉🏻 Connect with Dr. Matt Larcin on:

• ​👨🏻‍💼 Follow Matt on ⁠⁠⁠LinkedIn⁠⁠⁠
• ​🌐 Visit Matt's ⁠⁠⁠Website⁠⁠⁠ to learn more
• ​📲 Follow ⁠⁠⁠Dr. Matt Larcin⁠ on Instagram
• ​🗞️ ⁠⁠⁠Subscribe⁠⁠⁠ to Age of AI in Higher Education Weekly Newsletter on LinkedIn, published by Dr. Matt Larcin