Employers are escalating pressure on higher education to deliver graduates with hands‑on AI skills, while faculty move away from strict classroom bans. A multinational employer survey from CarringtonCrisp finds 77% of employers expect new hires to have experience with AI tools, yet 58% think universities aren't doing enough to prepare students. The report notes many alumni learned AI skills independently via downloads and online videos. Concurrently, a large study of course materials shows faculty are retreating from outright prohibitions on generative AI and adopting more nuanced policies that govern research and student use. Institutional leaders are balancing academic integrity, pedagogy, and workforce demands as they design policy and curriculum to integrate AI competency.