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The virtual panel, hosted by The Conference Board, focused on how artificial intelligence could impact business and higher education.
President Connie Ledoux Book highlighted that the most underestimated aspect of AI's reshaping of business, work, or daily life is the 'deepening value of humanness.' She argues that instead of focusing on jobs AI will replace, the conversation should center on which human capabilities, such as judgment, building trust, mentoring, and asking insightful questions, will become increasingly scarce and valuable. Book believes that institutions and organizations investing in these distinctly human capabilities will emerge as leaders in the next five years.
Book discussed Elon's research on AI in higher education, including a November 2025 survey of 1,057 faculty by the American Association of Colleges and Universities and Elon’s Imagining the Digital Future Center. The survey revealed widespread concern and skepticism among faculty regarding generative artificial intelligence's impact on teaching and student performance. Despite these concerns, Book noted that faculty are not largely anti-AI, but rather seek leadership to ensure its proper integration, with a majority already teaching AI literacy, including topics on bias, hallucinations, ethics, and integrity.
The survey also identified significant concern among faculty about students' over-reliance on AI. President Book clarified that this 'over-reliance' is distinct from cheating. She explained that it refers to students diminishing their critical thinking skills by becoming 'AI dependent' on answers, rather than being 'human dominant' and applying their liberal arts and learning skills to leverage technology effectively.
Book suggested that the rise of AI could paradoxically increase the demand for a liberal arts background. She advocates for an 'and' approach, moving beyond the traditional 'either/or' mindset of technical skills versus liberal arts. She believes that the integration of both technical proficiency and a strong liberal arts foundation will become even more critical for preparing students for the future workforce and fostering leadership in an AI-driven society.