A speaker in a dark suit and red tie stands at a podium, addressing an audience at an indoor event. Behind him, a large screen displays the words "The Next Wave" in bold white text against a colorful gradient background. The event space features floor-to-ceiling windows showing an urban environment with leafless trees. The audience is seated in the foreground, facing the speaker.
 
ITHAKA’s mission is marked by fostering innovation and collaboration to advance learning and research. Our Next Wave 2025 event gathered educators, librarians, publishers, researchers, and technology leaders to explore the factors shaping higher education.

Here’s a look back at the key insights from the day, with corresponding video recordings.
 

Welcome and opening remarks

The event opened with remarks from Bryan Alexander, noted higher education futurist, and Kevin Guthrie, our president at ITHAKA. They kicked off the day by reflecting on the rapid transformations occurring across higher education.

Their core message was that, amidst rapid change, we must recommit to higher education’s most essential purposes and be ready to take on challenges with bold ideas and thoughtful action.
 

Defining the moment

In our first panel discussion, Catharine Bond Hill (Ithaka S+R), Paul LeBlanc (Matter and Space), Doug Lederman (Inside Higher Ed), and Donna Linderman (SUNY) examined the state of learning today, highlighting headwinds and tailwinds influencing institutions.

Key takeaways included:

  • Demand for flexible, affordable learning models that cater to diverse student needs.
  • Institutional agility in adapting to shifting technological, economic, and demographic trends.
  • Alignment of educational outcomes with workforce demands, without compromising the broader mission of academia.

It was clear from the discussion that while challenges abound, so do opportunities to reshape education for the better.

A panel discussion taking place in a modern event space with large windows overlooking an urban scene. Four panelists are seated on stage, engaged in conversation. One man in a navy suit gestures animatedly while speaking, while the others, including a woman in a teal blazer holding a notepad, listen attentively. The audience is visible in the foreground.
 

A notebook for everything

Google’s Adam Bignell joined Kevin Guthrie to discuss NotebookLM, Google’s experimental AI-powered research assistant. This session explored how tools like NotebookLM are shaping knowledge discovery and learning.

Key takeaways included:

  • How AI can synthesize complex information and streamline research processes.
  • Ethical concerns regarding bias, reliability, and transparency in AI-generated content.
  • The balance between AI-powered assistance and traditional scholarly inquiry.

Exploring how emerging technologies can complement rigorous academic research while upholding integrity and trust in scholarship is essential.

A panel discussion in a modern event space with large windows overlooking an urban cityscape. Two panelists in suits are seated on stage, engaged in conversation. A large screen above them displays a colorful slide titled The Next Wave: A Notebook for Everything, featuring the names Adam Bignell (Google) and Kevin Guthrie (ITHAKA). The audience is visible in the foreground, attentively watching the discussion.
 

Improving outcomes with AI-powered education

Jonathan Glick (Ball Metaverse Research Partners) led a discussion with Rudy Arora and Sarthak Dhawan (TurboLearn AI) and Joshua Gans (AllDayTA) on the intersection of AI and education. The panelists shared insights about AI-driven learning platforms that are personalizing education in unprecedented ways.

Some key themes included:

  • AI’s ability to identify student learning gaps and tailor instruction accordingly.
  • Risks of over-reliance on automation, particularly regarding critical thinking skills.
  • The importance of integrating AI responsibly within academic institutions.

The conversation reinforced the idea that AI can be a tool for educators to better serve their students. The challenge lies in embracing its potential while also maintaining the core higher education values.

A panel discussion in a modern event space with large windows overlooking an urban scene. Four panelists are seated on stage, engaged in conversation. The audience is visible in the foreground.
 

Making education more accessible and affordable

ITHAKA is invested in reducing barriers to education. This session, featuring Jessica Hicklin (Unlocked Labs), Alex Humphreys (ITHAKA), and Tom Mosterd & Sam Eerdmans (Sylla), showcased innovative efforts to expand access to quality learning materials.

The panelists shared stories of impactful initiatives, including:

  • The role of open educational resources (OER) in bridging financial gaps.
  • Technology’s potential to serve learners who are traditionally marginalized, including those who are incarcerated.
  • How collaboration between libraries, publishers, and tech developers can drive meaningful change.

This discussion highlighted the possibilities for increasing educational equity and motivated us to continue pushing forward with initiatives in this space.

A panel discussion in a modern event space with large windows overlooking an urban scene. Four panelists are seated on stage, engaged in conversation. A woman with purple hair, wearing a light-colored shirt, is speaking and gesturing with her hands, while three male panelists in blazers listen. The audience is visible in the foreground.
 

Strategies for a changing market

In the final panel, Allison Belan (Duke University Press), David Prosser (Research Libraries UK), Alicia Salaz (University of Oregon), and Roger Schonfeld (Ithaka S+R) offered their perspectives on navigating the evolving higher education landscape.

This discussion explored:

  • Financial strains on higher education institutions and scholarly publishers.
  • The importance of partnerships in sustaining the academic ecosystem.
  • The library’s dual role as content provider and digital innovation and learning hub.

Though uncertainty poses challenges, collaboration and community leadership can influence meaningful progress.
 

Closing remarks

Bryan Alexander wrapped the day by enumerating the wide-range of topics touched on throughout the day, everything from funding challenges and the missed and seized innovations that may stem from that, to the ways we are grappling with AI and workforce needs. He observed a persistent theme: We want to write our own stories. We want to define the roles we play and how. It’s up to us to meet the moment, and we welcome it.
 

Looking forward

We’re energized by the wonderful discussions at this year’s Next Wave event, and we’re grateful to all of our panelists and attendees. It was an honor to share space with so many intelligent, thoughtful, and solution-oriented people.

Today’s educational challenges demand our creativity and action. We look forward to driving innovation alongside our partners. Stay connected with us as we build on these ideas and work together to shape a more accessible, forward-looking academic landscape.