Higher Ed Hype: Riding the Wave of Innovation

In higher education, we’re no strangers to the “Hype Cycle.” Coined by Gartner, this model describes the typical journey of any new technology—from sky-high excitement to inevitable backlash, and then, finally, to genuine adoption. It’s a pattern as familiar as a syllabus: an initial buzz, a sobering dose of reality, and a steady climb toward value. Whether we’re talking about online learning platforms, digital textbooks, or even ChatGPT, we see this trajectory play out. The kicker? The speed at which this cycle moves is the real wild card.

Over the decades, we’ve seen innovations in education make their way through this cycle at different paces. Some technologies, like Learning Management Systems (LMS), took years to find their footing. Others, like virtual classrooms during the pandemic, were adopted almost overnight. But nothing seems to have accelerated through this cycle quite like generative AI.

The Era of Elevated Expectations

ChatGPT 3.5 dropped in November 2022, and within nine months, it seemed everyone—from faculty to students—had at least dabbled with it. The adoption was staggering; no other technology in recent memory moved so fast. Why? Our research for the "Thrive in Higher Ed with AI" initiative suggests three reasons:

1. Familiarity with Digital Assistants: We’ve been talking to Siri and Alexa for over a decade. These voice assistants may not have been perfect, but they got us comfortable with the idea of speaking to our devices.
2. Natural User Interaction: Using generative AI felt intuitive—like chatting with a knowledgeable colleague. It didn’t require learning a new language or interface.
3. Addressing a Deep-Seated Need: This tech hit a nerve, promising to alleviate the overwhelming workload in academia. For educators juggling research, teaching, and administrative duties, and for students managing coursework and jobs, AI seemed like a lifesaver.

A Familiar Tune, A New Dance

Think back to when voice assistants first hit the scene. They promised a world where you could chat with your device as easily as you would with a friend. But as we all quickly realized, Siri and its counterparts often felt like a friend who just didn’t “get” you. Despite big promises and even bigger investments, these assistants remained, at best, charmingly clueless.

Yet, their existence paved the way for something more sophisticated. When ChatGPT arrived, it wasn’t just another chatbot—it was a game-changer. It didn’t just answer questions; it took on tasks, brainstormed ideas, and even wrote research summaries. It was, as some have called it, like a “hardworking intern” with a penchant for embellishment.

The Academic Assistant We’ve Been Waiting For

For those in academia, generative AI quickly became a valuable assistant. It could draft lesson plans, summarize articles, and even help brainstorm research ideas. It wasn’t perfect, but it was a solid B+ effort that, with a bit of human oversight, could turn into an A. For many of us, that was enough. It meant less time on routine tasks and more time for what truly mattered—teaching, mentoring, and exploring new ideas.

And let’s not forget its versatility. Generative AI didn’t just stick to one job. It was willing to take on whatever you threw at it—grading assignments, drafting emails, even composing a heartfelt sonnet to kick off that faculty meeting.

The Overwhelm Antidote—Or Is It?

The real kicker for generative AI in higher ed? It promised to solve the age-old problem of time scarcity. The academic world is one of endless to-do lists and constant demands. A tool that never tired, never complained, and could seemingly condense a week’s work into a few keystrokes was nothing short of a miracle.

But, as the honeymoon phase fades, reality bites. Like any tool, AI isn’t without its flaws. Some early adopters are already feeling a bit let down. Why? Because while AI can be incredibly helpful, it can also be unpredictable, sometimes more of a time sink than a time saver.

The Backlash: Fear, Uncertainty, and Doubt (FUD)

For many in higher education, the initial excitement around generative AI is giving way to a potent mix of Fear, Uncertainty, and Doubt (FUD). Fear stems from the existential question: What if the tool designed to assist us today becomes the one that replaces us tomorrow? Uncertainty arises as faculty and administrators grapple with the rapid pace of AI advancements—new features, new capabilities, and new complexities emerging almost daily. How can anyone be sure they’re using it correctly or even keeping up? And then there’s doubt, the nagging concern that AI might not always deliver as promised. Is it a reliable partner in enhancing our work, or could it inadvertently lead us astray, consuming more time and energy than it saves? These questions aren’t just academic; they’re shaping how we think about and interact with this new wave of technology.

Enlightened Usage: Finding the Balance

Despite the bumps along the road, some in higher ed are reaching a state of “AI Enlightenment.” They’ve figured out how to harness AI’s strengths without getting caught in its traps. How?

1. Avoiding Dead Ends: They know when to lean on AI and when to back off. If AI isn’t delivering on a task quickly, they pivot, using it to structure the work rather than complete it.
2. Tailoring Use to Expertise: Depending on their comfort with a subject, they adjust how they use AI—focusing on where it can add the most value.
3. Prioritizing Quality Over Speed: They understand that AI’s true power lies in enhancing the quality of work, not just speeding it up.
4. Constant Recalibration: AI is evolving, and so are they. They regularly reassess how they use AI, adapting to new capabilities and learning from missteps.

The Path Forward

Generative AI isn’t the panacea we all hoped for, but it’s not a passing fad either. It’s a powerful tool that, when used wisely, can enhance our work and help us reclaim our most valuable resource: time. In higher education, where the stakes are always high and the resources often scarce, that’s a proposition worth exploring—cautiously, thoughtfully, and with an eye toward the future.