Lead: New research and policy notes argue artificial intelligence will reconfigure both campus operations and the path from lab discovery to real‑world application. WGU Labs released a set of predictions about AI’s near‑term effects on higher education—calling for emotionally aware AI assistants, more sophisticated campus virtual aides, growth in private alternative providers using AI, and expanded focus on adult learners seeking non‑degree credentials. Separately, a Hepi/Taylor & Francis paper urged universities to harness AI to accelerate translational research while emphasizing ethical safeguards and metacognitive training to prevent deskilling and preserve trust. Why it matters: AI adoption is already reshaping student support, curriculum design and research translation. Provosts and research deans must pair technology pilots with governance, data‑quality checks, and faculty development to ensure AI augments rather than erodes academic rigor and public trust.