In Part III of Navigating a Successful Higher Ed AV/IT RFP Process, Joe Way discusses: Defining the parameters, writing with intention, and avoiding ambiguity.

The integration of AI in higher education is explored and considered in relation teaching and learning. Meet the AI avatar professor.

Microsoft's Threat Intelligence team has identified a cybercrime group, Storm-2657, that has been targeting US university payroll systems since March 2025. The "payroll pirate" campaign uses phishing emails to harvest multifactor authentication codes, breaches HR software such as Workday and redirects salaries to attacker-controlled bank accounts. Microsoft emphasizes that the attacks exploit poor MFA hygiene rather than vulnerabilities in Workday. Universities are urged to adopt phishing-resistant authentication methods and improve cross-system visibility to detect such attacks.

Professors in higher education are increasingly adopting AI chatbots, such as Claude and Gemini, for tasks like brainstorming assignments, developing study materials, automating administrative work, and, in some cases, grading. While many faculty members find AI helpful for creative collaboration and efficiency, concerns persist about its impact on student relationships and the overall value of education. Some educators, such as Marc Watkins, caution that overreliance on AI for routine tasks could undermine the core aspects of teaching and learning.