I’ve always been skeptical of the hype that surrounds new technologies. I remember when Second Life was supposed to replace classrooms, when blockchain was going to decentralize academic records, and when ebooks were expected to make libraries obsolete. Working in higher education, where resources are limited and priorities are many, I’ve learned to wait until the excitement fades and the real value starts to show.Today, every-day AI is now starting to feel different. These tools—now embedded in how we write, study, teach, and work—are quietly making their way up the plateau of productivity. Over the past year, I’ve used ChatGPT, Microsoft Copilot, and Google Gemini in my own work. And, I’ve also discussed them extensively with my students and faculty colleagues. What’s become clear is that not all platforms are equally useful when it comes to learning outcomes, privacy needs, and campus-wide deployment.In today’s Dispatch, we break down how these tools stack up—what they get right, where they fall short, and why I believe Google is quietly but decisively taking the lead in higher education’s every-day AI race.

Episodes

AI in Everyday Life: Comparisons and Insights