In this episode of Adjunct Intelligence, Dale and Nick sit down with Professor Rahil Garnavi, Director of RAISE Hub at RMIT and former IBM Research leader with 50+ AI patents. Rahil shares her unique perspective on why the challenge of AI in higher education isn’t about building smarter models, but about building trust, skills, and sustainable adoption.
From classrooms to boardrooms, she unpacks why universities must act as both “skills engines” and trusted conveners, how to bridge the gap between technical possibility and real-world usability, and why AI adoption is best understood as a marathon effort rather than a sprint.
If you’re a higher ed leader wondering how to move beyond policy debates and into practical, responsible integration of AI, this conversation offers clarity, realism, and optimism.

01:00 – Rahil’s JourneyFrom IBM Research to RMIT’s RAISE Hub: why she shifted focus from building AI to embedding it responsibly.
03:40 – Universities’ Dual RoleWhy higher education must act as both a “skills engine” and a trusted convener for industry and government.
05:15 – Building AI Capability at ScaleHow RAISE Hub is creating AI fluency across all disciplines, not just STEM.
07:00 – From AI Users to AI ThinkersDesigning authentic assessments that emphasize process, critical thinking, and integrity over polished outputs.
09:40 – The Talent PipelineHow universities can stay a step ahead of industry demand and prepare graduates for a rapidly shifting workforce.
11:00 – National Conversations on AIRahil’s work with CEDA’s AI Community of Best Practice and why policy, trust, and skills development go hand in hand.
12:30 – Marathon vs. SprintWhy AI technology moves fast, but adoption, governance, and trust take endurance.
15:00 – Plug-and-Play MythThe disconnect between glossy tech marketing and the messy reality of organizational adoption.
17:00 – Australia’s Cautious StanceWhy readiness scores are low, the risks of “pilot mode,” and what’s needed to move forward.
18:30 – Real Use CasesWhere AI is already making a difference in business and higher ed—even if the wins aren’t glamorous.
20:00 – Critical Engagement, Not ReplacementWhy AI should be seen as a multiplier of human thinking rather than a substitute.

To find out more about Rahil Garnavi view her linkedin - https://www.linkedin.com/in/rahil-garnavi-phd/

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