What does the acceleration of artificial intelligence mean for higher education, from the admissions process to students’ academic and intellectual development? How can students learn to engage responsibly with AI, and what does it mean for the early graduate labor market?

Baker Institute fellow and guest host Michael Emerson sat down with Rice University Provost Amy Dittmar, University of Houston Associate Provost Jeff Morgan, and Burke Nixon, a core lecturer in Rice’s writing and communication program, to discuss the advent of AI and its implications for colleges and universities.

This conversation was recorded in front of a live studio audience on September 17, 2025. 

Featured:

• Michael Emerson, Ph.D., https://www.bakerinstitute.org/expert/michael-o-emerson 


• Amy Dittmar, Ph.D., https://profiles.rice.edu/faculty/amy-dittmar 


• Jeffrey Morgan, Ph.D., https://www.uh.edu/provost/about/office-of-the-provost-leadership/jeff-morgan/index.php 


• Burke Nixon, https://pwc.rice.edu/about-us/lecturers/burke-nixon 

Mentioned in this episode:

• “Opinion: No, AI chatbots haven't killed the college essay. Here's why,” www.houstonchronicle.com/opinion/outlook/article/ChatGPT-AI-technology-writing-obsolete-college-17680035.php

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