Fortune 500 executives told university leaders that many recent graduates lack workplace skills such as teamwork and communication, prompting renewed calls for industry–campus collaboration to close the gap. Employers urged colleges to offer more experiential learning and direct partnerships to prepare students for entry-level roles, particularly as AI automates routine tasks. Meanwhile, college staff report rising workloads and say AI and better collaboration tools could restore capacity. A sector survey found large majorities believe AI will reduce workloads, streamline workflows and speed innovation — framing AI as both a curricular challenge and an operational opportunity for institutions. Universities should consider aligning curricula with employer needs through internships, co-op programs and applied projects, while investing in staff training and governance to deploy AI responsibly in administration and instruction.