Will Universities Survive AI?

Harvard University

The Information Hubs

I believe the university you remember, the one with all the different departments, the focused academics, the final exams chaos, well, all of that is nearing the end of its run. In this new world where generative AI can give you all the information you want at the speed of your typing fingers - or your voice too - then, universities better start thinking of pivoting from being warehouses of knowledge to being places where character, creativity, and humanity can develop.

The End of Knowledge Scarcity

When I was studying for my masters, that degree meant that I was getting exclusive access to information. That exclusivity gave anyone who possessed an MBA an advantage, a feeling  of actual power in terms of knowledge. And people or coworkers recognized this. But today, a simple AI chatbot can give you tons of specialized articles, tutorials, even personalized study plans in seconds. That kind of knowledge access has deflated the price of such expertise, which also means that the value of ´exclusiveness´ is gone too.

As universities lose their monopoly on facts, their survival depends on offering something AI can’t: the irreplaceable, magnificent and amazing art of being human.

From Lectures to Dialogues

I actually believe we are facing a revolution in thought; if we do it right. That´s why I hope the next generation of universities will be less about podiums and PowerPoints and memorization, and more about Socratic circles.

What am I talking about? Yes, Socratic Seminars. In this set up small groups engage in guided dialogue, probing complex questions like, “What is ethical leadership in an algorithm-driven world?”

Also real-world simulations, where students tackle live challenges like designing inclusive AI tools for eldercare or mediating community disputes over data privacy.

And then, there are the professors. They will probably evolve into coaches, offering individualized feedback on both intellectual and emotional growth from a human perspective. No AI in this face to face interactions.

THE HUMANE AGE

AI still lags way behind when ethics, empathy, imagination and creativity come into play. Universities of tomorrow must focus on these skills and make them part of every course. For example, look at the following list:

Critical Reflection: a deep, analytical process of examining experiences, beliefs, and assumptions to gain new insights and inform future actions.

Resilience: the ability to bounce back and recover from difficulties and setbacks.

Adaptability: the capacity to adjust and thrive in new or changing circumstances. 

Emotional Intelligence: the ability to understand and manage your own emotions, and to recognize and influence the emotions of others.

Accountability & Ethics: Case studies on AI’s societal impacts.

Teamwork & Collaboration: Cross-disciplinary innovation labs.

Entrepreneurial Creativity: Studio spaces for thinking big ideas.

Reflection & Lifelong Learning: Alumni networks that keep the dialogue alive.

WHAT ABOUT GRADES AND EXAMS?

Grades based on memorization will feel as old as floppy disks. Instead, assessment should be portfolio-driven with interactive e-portfolios that integrate essays, art, and project demos.

Public Defenses: Oral presentations judged by a mix of peers, faculty, and industry mentors.

Ethical Audits: Students evaluate each other’s work for fairness, sustainability, and cultural sensitivity.

THE UNICERSITY AT THE CORE OF A COMMUNITY

Let´s go a bit crazy and imagine where else these old institutions could go in terms of providing value to the community ecosystem. What if we could have more:

Global Learning Networks, where virtual exchanges with institutions in Bogotá, Berlin, and Bangalore can take place daily.

How about Lifelong Learning Hubs On-campus where retirees can share about life wisdom with first-year students.

I´m sure we could find a space for Indigenous Knowledge Partnerships where seminars with tribal elders can be created in order to explore our relationship with Mother Earth. That kind of holistic wisdom definitely transcends algorithms.

So in the end, if universities don’t reinvent themselves, they risk becoming irrelevant. But if they embrace the challenge, they can become the most vital and important places on Earth. A place that will continue to be the storage of knowledge surrounded by a humane environment where heart-centered, critically minded, and ready to lead professionals can continue to thrive.

Or so I hope.

Thanks for reading. Abrazos.

Diego Rojas