Charting the GenAI Blue Ocean: A paradigm shift in business education - Bert Verhoeven, Dr Vishal Rana, Dr Timothy Hor - University of Oxford

The rise of Generative AI (GenAI) signals not just technological progress but a seismic shift in how industries innovate, compete, and create value. Beyond chatbots and workflow automation, GenAI’s potential lies in its ability to personalise experiences, analyse data in real time, and redefine market opportunities. In an era where traditional competition—marked by diminishing margins in "red oceans"—feels increasingly obsolete, the fusion of GenAI with Kim and Mauborgne’s (2005) concept of the Blue Ocean Strategy unlocks new frontiers of innovation, enabling Higher Education to transcend zero-sum competition and imagine entirely new paradigms, reconfiguring the relationship between institutions, teachers, learners, and markets. Blue Ocean Strategy focuses on creating new, uncontested market spaces by redefining industry boundaries and delivering unique value to customers. It shifts the focus from competing in existing markets to innovating and unlocking new demand.

https://aieou.web.ox.ac.uk/article/charting-genai-blue-ocean

US faces shortfall of 5.3M college-educated workers by 2032 - Laura Spitalniak, Higher Ed Dive

Nursing, teaching and engineering would experience the largest gaps, per a study from Georgetown University’s Center on Education and the Workforce. The U.S. will need over 5 million additional workers who have at least some postsecondary education by 2032, according to a report released Tuesday by Georgetown University’s Center on Education and the Workforce. Of that total, 4.5 million will need at least a bachelor’s degree, according to the report. Degree-requiring positions facing “critical skills shortages” include nurses, teachers and engineers, it said.

https://www.highereddive.com/news/us-faces-shortfall-of-53m-college-educated-workers-by-2032/760155/

Learning analytics-informed teaching strategies: enhancing interactive learning in STEM education - Ying Zheng &Dexian Li, Taylor and Francis Online

Using a mixed-methods approach, data were collected from 1,483 students and 95 teachers through random and purposive sampling. The findings indicate adaptive learning technologies significantly improve student performance by tailoring instruction to individual needs. Real-time educational data analysis enables early identification of disengagement, facilitating timely interventions. Additionally, insights into student interaction patterns inform the development of evidence-based teaching strategies that foster critical thinking and problem-solving skills. The study highlights the transformative role of educational data mining in creating immersive learning environments that enhance conceptual understanding and practical application, reducing achievement gaps among diverse student populations.

https://www.tandfonline.com/doi/full/10.1080/10494820.2025.2553113

The infrastructure moment - Alastair Green, Ishaan Nangia, and Nicola Sandri - McKinsey

A confluence of global forces is accelerating the need for infrastructure investment. Outdated assets, rapid urbanization, geopolitical shifts, and technological advancements are exposing the limitations of yesterday’s infrastructure. These forces are also changing the very definition of infrastructure. Traditionally, the term has been synonymous with assets such as power grids, roads, ports, and bridges. More recently, advances in technology have meant that newer assets such as fiber-optic networks, hyperscale data centers, and electric-vehicle charging stations are increasingly vital. These modern types of infrastructure share traits with “traditional” infrastructure, including long lifespans, significant initial investment, predictable and resilient cash flows, and critical economic roles.

https://www.mckinsey.com/industries/infrastructure/our-insights/the-infrastructure-moment

Linking digital competence, self-efficacy, and digital stress to perceived interactivity in AI-supported learning contexts - Jiaxin Ren, Nature

As artificial intelligence technologies become more integrated into educational contexts, understanding how learners perceive and interact with such systems remains an important area of inquiry. This study investigated associations between digital competence and learners’ perceived interactivity with artificial intelligence, considering the potential mediating roles of information retrieval self-efficacy and self-efficacy for human–robot interaction, as well as the potential moderating role of digital stress. Drawing on constructivist learning theory, the technology acceptance model, cognitive load theory, the identical elements theory, and the control–value theory of achievement emotions, a moderated serial mediation model was tested using data from 921 Chinese university students. The results indicated that digital competence was positively associated with perceived interactivity, both directly and indirectly through a sequential pathway involving the two forms of self-efficacy. 

https://www.nature.com/articles/s41598-025-18873-3

Google Notebook LM’s Capabilities and Impact: Expert analysis from - Agentic Brain, AI Report

 The rapid expansion of artificial-intelligence tools has produced dozens of note-taking and research assistants, but few have delivered a coherent, end-to-end learning experience. Google’s Notebook LM stands out because it blends multimodal analysis, grounded responses and interactive learning aids into a single platform. Released in 2023 and continuously updated, Notebook LM has quickly become one of the most impressive AI-enhanced research agents available today. Unlike traditional chatbots that draw on general internet knowledge, Notebook LM grounds every response in the documents you provide. Uploads can include PDFs, Google Docs, Google Slides, websites, YouTube videos, audio files or plain text. Once added, the system becomes an “instant expert” on your materials. You can converse with it in a familiar chat interface or any of the following incredibly diverse capabilities

https://www.theaireport.ai/partner-columns/google-notebook-lms-capabilities-and-impact

The Declining ROI of MBA Degrees and the Rise of Alternative Skill-Building Platforms - Eli Grant, AInvest

- Micro-credentials ($500–$5K) offer faster ROI (12–18 months) with 15%–30% salary boosts, prioritizing job-ready skills over generalized degrees.

- Employers increasingly value micro-credentials equally to MBAs (68% LinkedIn survey), reflecting a shift toward skills over degree prestige.

- Hybrid models (e.g., MIT MicroMasters) and AI-driven learning platforms are reshaping education by blending affordability with personalized, on-demand upskilling.

https://www.ainvest.com/news/declining-roi-mba-degrees-rise-alternative-skill-building-platforms-2509/

Google narrows the gap with ChatGPT as millions tap Nano Banana to make hyperrealistic 3D figurines. - Robert Hart, the Verge

The surge has likely propelled Gemini to the top of various app stores around the world. At the time of writing, Gemini is the leading iPhone app on Apple’s App Stores in the US, UK, Canada, France, Australia, Germany, and Italy. In many cases, it reached the prime position by surpassing OpenAI’s ChatGPT, which now sits in second place. On September 11th, Woodward said “India has found” the image editor and later said that Google was going to have to implement “temporary limits” on usage in order to manage extreme demand. “It’s a full-on stampede to use” Gemini, he said, adding that the “team is doing heroics to keep the system up and running.” So, what’s driving the surge? While a variety of edits have been popular, the runaway hit of Nano Banana has people turning themselves — or their pets — into 3D figurines. 

https://www.theverge.com/news/778106/google-gemini-nano-banana-image-editor

First-of-its-kind AI tool to save 75% of academics’ time - Sara AlKuwari, Khaleej Times

Hamdan Bin Mohammed Smart University (HBMSU) in the United Arab Emirates has announced the launch of the region’s first AI-powered academic agent, a pioneering tool designed to save up to 75% of faculty members’ time while enhancing students’ academic achievement by 40%, marking a significant step in reshaping the future of higher education, writes Sara AlKuwari for Khaleej Times. The initiative, titled Artificial Intelligence Agent for Every Faculty, is the first of its kind in the UAE and the wider region. It integrates advanced AI capabilities into higher education in line with the UAE National Artificial Intelligence Strategy 2031 and Education Strategy 2033.

https://www.universityworldnews.com/post.php?story=20250913105932566

White House AI Task Force Positions AI as Top Education Priority - Julia Gilban-Cohen, GovTech

When Trump administration officials met with ed-tech leaders at the White House last week to discuss the nation’s vision for artificial intelligence in American life, they repeatedly underscored one central message: Education must be at the heart of the nation’s AI strategy. Established by President Trump’s April 2025 executive order, the White House Task Force on AI Education is chaired by director of science and technology policy Michael Kratsios, and is tasked with promoting AI literacy and proficiency among America’s youth and educators, organizing a nationwide AI challenge and forging public-private partnerships to provide AI education resources to K-12 students.

https://www.govtech.com/education/k-12/white-house-ai-task-force-positions-ai-as-top-education-priority

The common future of humans and artificial intelligence will be “hybrid professions”! - Uskudar University (Turkey)

On the place that “hybrid professions,” where humans and AI work together, will hold in the future, Dr. İldiz explained: “The definition of a hybrid profession is shaped by how much you can adapt to AI, how you integrate it into your life, and the boundaries you set with your professional expertise. This can provide a future where we do not lose our human aspects but continue to grow, both for ourselves and for our world.” 

https://uskudar.edu.tr/en/new/the-common-future-of-humans-and-artificial-intelligence-will-be-hybrid-professions/62826

Got AI skills? You can earn 43% more in your next job - and not just for tech work - Webb Wright, ZDnet

Demand for AI skills is on the rise across industries. A single AI skill makes a huge difference in listed salaries. Different industries are looking for different AI skills. As businesses race to adopt AI, they're placing a higher premium on job candidates who know their way around the technology. A recent study from labor market research firm Lightcast found that jobs requiring AI-related skills offer higher annual salaries than those that don't. This is true not only in tech-heavy industries like IT and computer science but also across a range of other sectors.

https://www.zdnet.com/article/got-ai-skills-you-can-earn-43-more-in-your-next-job-and-not-just-for-tech-work/

Did OpenAI just solve hallucinations? - Matthew Berman, YouTube

The video explains that hallucinations are ingrained in the models' construction, functioning more as features than bugs. This is compared to human behavior, where guessing on a test might be rewarded, leading models to guess rather than admit uncertainty. The core issue is the absence of a system that rewards models for expressing uncertainty or providing partially correct answers. The proposed solution involves creating models that only answer questions when they meet a certain confidence threshold and implementing a new evaluation system. This system would reward correct answers, penalize incorrect ones, and assign a neutral score for "I don't know" responses. The video concludes by suggesting that the solution lies in revising how models are evaluated and how reinforcement learning is applied. (summary provided in part by Gemini 2.5 Plus)

youtube.com/watch?si=bKmPqaT8ihGTtWDn&v=xGO5Q94XXf0&feature=youtu.be

How AI Impacts Academic Thinking, Writing and Learning - Does AI make for better grades or better thinkers? - Michael Hogan, et al; Psychology Today

Over-reliance on AI risks eroding students’ knowledge and skill development through reduced cognitive effort. In writing tasks, findings suggests that students primarily prompt ChatGPT for data, facts, and information. Educators need activity designs that encourage questioning and verification rather than blind AI acceptance.

https://www.psychologytoday.com/us/blog/in-one-lifespan/202509/how-ai-impacts-academic-thinking-writing-and-learning

OPINION: AI can be a great equalizer, but it remains out of reach for millions of Americans; we cannot let that continue - Erin Mote, Hechinger Report

This digital divide is a persistent crisis that deepens societal inequities, and we must rally around one of the most effective tools we have to combat it: the Universal Service Fund. The USF is a long-standing national commitment built on a foundation of bipartisan support and born from the principle that every American, regardless of their location or income, deserves access to communications services. Without this essential program, over 54 million students, 16,000 healthcare providers and 7.5 million high-need subscribers would lose internet service that connects classrooms, rural communities (including their hospitals) and libraries to the internet.

https://hechingerreport.org/opinion-ai-can-be-a-great-equalizer-but-it-remains-out-of-reach-for-millions-of-americans-we-cannot-let-that-continue/

OPINION: Schools cannot teach AI literacy without a way to measure it - Amit Sevak, Hechinger Report

Everywhere you look, someone is telling students and workers to “learn AI.”  It’s become the go-to advice for staying employable, relevant and prepared for the future. But here’s the problem: While definitions of artificial intelligence literacy are starting to emerge, we still lack a consistent, measurable framework to know whether someone is truly ready to use AI effectively and responsibly.  And that is becoming a serious issue for education and workforce systems already being reshaped by AI. Schools and colleges are redesigning their entire curriculums. Companies are rewriting job descriptions. States are launching AI-focused initiatives. 

https://hechingerreport.org/opinion-schools-cannot-teach-ai-literacy-without-a-way-to-measure-it/

Duke University pilot project examining pros and cons of using artificial intelligence in college - AP

As part of a new pilot with OpenAI, all Duke undergraduate students, as well as staff, faculty and students across the University’s professional schools, gained free, unlimited access to ChatGPT-4o beginning June 2. The University also announced DukeGPT, a University-managed AI interface that connects users to resources for learning and research and ensures “maximum privacy and robust data protection.” Duke launched a new Provost’s Initiative to examine the opportunities and challenges AI brings to student life on May 23. The initiative will foster campus discourse on the use of AI tools and present recommendations in a report by the end of the fall 2025 semester. 

https://www.wral.com/story/duke-university-pilot-project-examining-pros-and-cons-of-using-artificial-intelligence-in-college/22146542/

Worst to first: What it takes to build or remake a world-class team - Kevin Carmody, Mark Hojnacki, and Rick Gold with Shayne Skov; McKinsey

Building a team is hard; building a winning team is even harder. For every organization that manages to achieve the right mix of talent, culture, and performance expectations, many more find themselves lacking in one area or another. Consider the following cautionary tales. One team of “superstars” in a large technology organization failed to gel simply because they could not agree on working norms. Another high-performing group underachieved because the executive team and line managers had very different views of their roles: Executives were frustrated by line managers’ hesitancy to make and own critical decisions, while the line managers were afraid to be labeled as failures by these same executives if their moves deviated too far from the status quo. Both sides pointed fingers at each other when outcomes failed to meet expectations.

https://www.mckinsey.com/capabilities/transformation/our-insights/worst-to-first-what-it-takes-to-build-or-remake-a-world-class-team

Why liberal arts schools are now hopping on skills-based microcredentials - Alcino Donadel, University Business

New market demands are pushing small, four-year liberal arts colleges to offer microcredentials, indicating growing momentum across sectors of higher education to elevate workforce readiness within their academic offerings. Chief learning officers at community colleges are leading the charge in expanding non-degree offerings, reporting the highest levels of institutional investment in this area. Meanwhile, large research universities—like the University of Colorado Boulder and the University of Tennessee at Knoxville—are catching up. However, strict faculty governance and curriculum processes and different accreditation standards have caused some liberal arts schools to lag, says Mike Simmons, an associate executive director at the American Association of Collegiate Registrars and Admissions Officers.

https://universitybusiness.com/why-liberal-arts-schools-are-now-hopping-on-skills-based-microcredentials/

Academics must be open to changing their minds on acceptable AI use - Ava Doherty, Times Higher Education

Honest and open-ended conversations over how AI can be productively used in the learning journey are needed, not ChatGPT bans, says Ava Doherty. Students today face a striking paradox: they are among the most technologically literate generations in history, yet they are deeply anxious about their career prospects in an artificial intelligence-driven future. Since the launch of ChatGPT, the rapid advance of artificial intelligence (AI) has fundamentally reshaped the graduate job market. This shift presents unique challenges and opportunities for students, universities and the broader higher education sector.

https://www.timeshighereducation.com/blog/academics-must-be-open-changing-their-minds-acceptable-ai-use

Navigating the AI Revolution in Higher Education - Alyse Jordan, Frontiers in Education

A systematic review conducted in the first nine months following ChatGPT's release provides valuable early insights into how AI has affected teaching, curriculum design, and assessment practices in higher education. The review identified both benefits and threats of AI integration, offering preliminary evidence to inform institutional policies and faculty practices (Liang et al., 2025). As the authors note, this represents "a first wave" of research, acknowledging how quickly AI systems are evolving and changing educational landscapes.Additionally, in specialized fields such as Mechanical Engineering Education (MEE), AI integration demonstrates unique applications and challenges. Research shows that AI significantly enhances learning experiences through technologies like computer-aided translation and natural language processing, making education more accessible and interactive.

https://www.frontiersin.org/journals/education/articles/10.3389/feduc.2025.1682901/abstract

On-screen and now IRL: FSU researchers find evidence of ChatGPT buzzwords turning up in everyday speech - McKenzie Harris, Florida State University News

Recent large-scale upticks in the use of words like “delve” and “intricate” in certain fields, especially education and academic writing, are attributed to the widespread introduction of LLMs with a chat function, like ChatGPT, that overuses those buzzwords. “The changes we are seeing in spoken language are pretty remarkable, especially when compared to historical trends,” Juzek said. “What stands out is the breadth of change: so many words are showing notable increases over a relatively short period. Given that these are all words typically overused by AI, it seems plausible to conjecture a link.” Words including “surpass,” “boast,” “meticulous,” “strategically,” and “garner” have also seen considerable increases in usage since the release of ChatGPT. While these words are often used in a formal or academic tone, which makes them less common in unscripted, spoken language, researchers found that nearly three-quarters of these target words showed increased usage with some more than doubling in frequency.

https://news.fsu.edu/news/education-society/2025/08/26/on-screen-and-now-irl-fsu-researchers-find-evidence-suggesting-chatgpt-influences-how-we-speak/

Balancing AI And Human Intellect In Higher Education - Noreen Saher, The Friday Times

Artificial intelligence (AI) is rapidly transforming higher education, particularly for research students who stand at the intersection of technological innovation and scholarly inquiry. AI offers unprecedented intellectual opportunities, yet it simultaneously presents profound challenges to academic integrity. The central task is not to privilege Artificial Intelligence (AI) over Original Intelligence (OI), or vice versa, but to cultivate a sophisticated equilibrium between the two. Only through this balance can higher education institutions preserve the authenticity of scholarship while embracing the possibilities of technological advancement.

https://www.thefridaytimes.com/29-Aug-2025/balancing-ai-and-human-intellect-in-higher-education

How people and technology can achieve more together - McKinsey

In the new world of work, success depends on how well humans and technology can partner. Research by Lareina Yee, Michael Chui, and Roger Roberts shows that while most organizations are investing in gen AI, few are realizing its full benefits—and the barrier isn’t just technical. Employees are adopting AI faster than many leaders expected, but without the right support, they can’t harness its full potential. Building “superagency” means embedding AI into everyday workflows, fostering trust between people and machines, and giving teams the skills to guide and collaborate with AI systems. For organizations, this is a roadmap to productivity and innovation; for individuals, it’s a chance to amplify your capabilities and shape how work is done in the AI era. Check out these insights to learn how to turn AI adoption into lasting human and organizational advantage.

https://www.mckinsey.com/featured-insights/mckinsey-guide-to-navigating-the-new-world-of-work/how-people-and-technology-can-achieve-more-together

Mass Intelligence: From GPT-5 to nano banana: everyone is getting access to powerful AI - Ethan Mollick, One Useful Thing

There have been two barriers to accessing powerful AI for most users. The first was confusion. Few people knew to select an AI model. Even fewer knew that picking o3 from a menu in ChatGPT would get them access to an excellent Reasoner AI model, while picking 4o (which seems like a higher number) would give them something far less capable. According to OpenAI, less than 7% of paying customers selected o3 on a regular basis, meaning even power users were missing out on what Reasoners could do. Another factor was cost. Because the best models are expensive, free users were often not given access to them, or else given very limited access. Google led the way in giving some free access to its best models, but OpenAI stated that almost none of its free customers had regular access to reasoning models prior to the launch of GPT-5.

https://www.oneusefulthing.org/p/mass-intelligence

Why did the CSU spend millions on ChatGPT amid a budget crisis? We asked school leaders - Julia Barajas, LAist

CSU CIO Ed Clark explained. We were [also] seeing that some universities in our own system were starting to negotiate deals with these vendors, but then others couldn't afford to do that. So, we're thinking: “We're not going to create a digital divide within our own system. We're going to make sure that everybody has access to these tools.” And we buttress that with: We believe that these tools are going to become fundamental, just like the internet is today — every industry, every academic field, every discipline is going to be using these tools. So, we need our students, our community members, to engage with them now. We're not going to wait until we're far behind everybody else ... to give this access. And on the workforce side, in terms of student preparation, we already know that employers are expecting students to graduate with [AI] skills. ... We want our students to be prepared for the workforce or graduate school or whatever they're going to do when they leave the CSU.

https://laist.com/news/education/csu-artificial-intelligence-chatgpt-budget-gap-administrators

Colleges see significant drop in international students as fall semester begins - Elissa Nadworny, NPR

Over the last six months the Trump Administration has clamped down on international student visas, temporarily pausing and then revamping the student visa interview process and bringing more scrutiny to the vetting system. That led to long delays and meant many accepted students couldn't get appointments at embassies or consulates in time for the start of the fall semester. "I only had one goal from the beginning, it was to go to college here, so if I didn't reach that goal it would have been very painful," explains Shivaka Sing, a freshman psychology major from New Delhi. When she got accepted to Buffalo she joined a group chat of other students from India. Many of them couldn't get a visa appointment in time to start the fall semester with her. "Most of them are now transferring to the U.K. because of the visa situation," she says. "Some are planning to defer to the spring semester."

https://www.nprillinois.org/2025-08-27/colleges-see-significant-drop-in-international-students-as-fall-semester-begins

A ‘Great Defection’ threatens to empty universities and colleges of top teaching talent - Jon Marcus, Hechinger Report

Paulina Cossette spent six years getting a doctoral degree with the goal of becoming a university professor. But it wasn’t long before she gave up on that path. With higher education under political assault, and opportunities as well as job security diminished by enrollment declines, Cossette felt burnt out and disillusioned. So she quit her hard-won job as an assistant professor of American government at a small private college in Maryland and used the skills she’d learned to go into business for herself as a freelance copy editor. Now Cossette is hearing from other newly minted Ph.D.s and tenured faculty who want out — so many, she’s expanded her business to help them leave academia, as she did. 

https://hechingerreport.org/a-great-defection-threatens-to-empty-universities-and-colleges-of-top-teaching-talent/ 

Team building for a new era - McKinsey

In the new world of work, teams operate with more autonomy, speed, and complexity than ever before. Research by Aaron De Smet, Gemma D’Auria, Maitham Albaharna, and coauthors challenges common myths about teamwork and introduces data-driven models to help teams thrive. Their analysis highlights three archetypes—cycling, relay, and rowing—each requiring a distinct approach to drive performance. By understanding these patterns and the conditions that fuel collaboration, leaders can build teams that are resilient, innovative, and ready to meet the demands of a rapidly changing workplace. Check out these insights to learn what makes teams effective in today’s environment and how to position yours for lasting success.

https://www.mckinsey.com/featured-insights/mckinsey-guide-to-navigating-the-new-world-of-work/team-building-for-a-new-era

Your next move: Thriving in a changing job market - McKinsey

In a job market marked by rapid change, many HR functions are still reacting to change rather than preparing for it—leaving gaps in workforce planning, hiring success, and skills development, according to McKinsey research from Julian Kirchherr, Vincent Bérubé, and coauthors. For individuals, that means opportunity for those ready to act. By building future-facing skills, seeking feedback, and being strategic about career moves, you can position yourself to advance, pivot, or land a new role even as organizations adapt to shifting needs. Check out these insights to stay ahead of shifting workforce trends, sharpen your competitive edge, and take charge of your career trajectory.

https://www.mckinsey.com/featured-insights/mckinsey-guide-to-navigating-the-new-world-of-work/your-next-move-thriving-in-a-changing-job-market

AI Is Eliminating Jobs for Younger Workers - Will Knight, Wired

Economists at Stanford University have found the strongest evidence yet that artificial intelligence is starting to eliminate certain jobs. But the story isn’t that simple: While younger workers are being replaced by AI in some industries, more experienced workers are seeing new opportunities emerge. Erik Brynjolfsson, a professor at Stanford University, Ruyu Chen, a research scientist, and Bharat Chandar, a postgraduate student, examined data from ADP, the largest payroll provider in the US, from late 2022, when ChatGPT debuted, to mid-2025. The researchers discovered several strong signals in the data—most notably that the adoption of generative AI coincided with a decrease in job opportunities for younger workers in sectors previously identified as particularly vulnerable to AI-powered automation (think customer service and software development). In these industries, they found a 16 percent decline in employment for workers aged 22 to 25.

https://www.wired.com/story/stanford-research-ai-replace-jobs-young-workers/

Taking AI Welfare Seriously - Robert Long, et al; arXiv

In this report, we argue that there is a realistic possibility that some AI systems will be conscious and/or robustly agentic in the near future. That means that the prospect of AI welfare and moral patienthood, i.e. of AI systems with their own interests and moral significance, is no longer an issue only for sci-fi or the distant future. It is an issue for the near future, and AI companies and other actors have a responsibility to start taking it seriously. We also recommend three early steps that AI companies and other actors can take: They can (1) acknowledge that AI welfare is an important and difficult issue (and ensure that language model outputs do the same), (2) start assessing AI systems for evidence of consciousness and robust agency, and (3) prepare policies and procedures for treating AI systems with an appropriate level of moral concern. To be clear, our argument in this report is not that AI systems definitely are, or will be, conscious, robustly agentic, or otherwise morally significant.

https://arxiv.org/abs/2411.00986