Digital transformation in higher education is no longer limited to moving classes online or using e-textbooks—technology is redefining how institutions function. Colleges and universities are using data, cloud technology and AI to design experiences that are more personalized, more efficient and more closely tied to both individual student goals and current workforce demands.
Below, members of Forbes Technology Council share their predictions for how technology will soon transform higher education. From adaptive learning systems to AI-powered academic co-pilots to robust compliance management, these shifts are designed to make higher education smarter, more resilient and better aligned with real-world needs.
1. Removing Barriers To High-Quality Education
The real shift will be toward global equity in education. As AI-driven platforms and digital tools mature, they’ll dramatically reduce delivery costs and remove geographic and financial barriers. Students once excluded due to location or income will access the same personalized, high-quality learning as those at elite institutions—transforming who gets to succeed. – Subasini Periyakaruppan, Biotechnology Innovation Organization
2. Tailoring Instruction And Assessments In Real Time
Higher ed will shift toward AI-powered personalized learning, using real-time data to tailor instruction and assessments. This boosts engagement, equity and outcomes. As digital transformation deepens, institutions will integrate these tools with existing systems to build adaptive, student-centered environments that support innovation and success. – Swapnil Chawande, PG&E
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3. Moving To A User-First Mindset
Higher ed will move from an admin-first mindset to a user-first mindset. Instead of multiple portals and apps for each constituent, institutions will consolidate around a unified campus experience built to give students, faculty, staff, prospects and alumni a connected digital home. This shift will deliver a consolidated, seamless experience that makes every user’s journey more intuitive and engaging. – Chase Williams, Pathify
4. Providing Adaptive Learning Ecosystems
Higher ed’s biggest shift will be moving from standardized digital platforms to truly adaptive learning ecosystems. Schools will treat each student as a unique learner whose needs, pace and goals will be established using AI-driven personalization. Those schools that scale these systems responsibly will see tremendous gains in retention, engagement and outcomes. There are challenges, however, including the ethical use and privacy of student data. – Bajeed Pattan, Datasoft Global LLC
5. Cultivating Problem-Solvers
As higher education invests in digital transformation, I see a clear shift from digitizing classrooms to cultivating problem-solvers. AI and data will personalize learning, while STEM-driven, hands-on experiences will prepare students for real-world challenges. In my opinion, the true impact will be creating a generation of thinkers who thrive by applying knowledge, not just consuming it. – Mukhtar Ahmad, CodeNinja
6. Streamlining Administrative Operations
Digital transformation does not have to be limited to teaching; AI can help schools of all levels significantly streamline their operations, including routine activities requiring access to and analysis of large data volumes. These activities could include compliance processes for supplier auditing, many administrative tasks (such as creating diplomas and managing student recognition), test evaluation and more. – Filip Dvorak, Filuta AI
7. Integrating Regulatory Oversight
One key shift in higher education in the next few years will be the move from siloed compliance management to unified governance platforms that integrate identity, data and regulatory oversight across the institutional ecosystem. Universities face a growing convergence of regulatory pressures, stakeholder scrutiny and operational complexity that traditional governance cannot adequately address. – Piyush Pandey, Pathlock
8. Customizing Study Plans
Personalized, AI-powered learning will be the big change. Higher ed will do a better job of delivering customized study plans, providing immediate feedback and creating an adaptive learning experience for each student, which will increase engagement and improve results as digital transformation proceeds. – Saket Chaudhari, TriNet Inc.
9. Adopting Ransomware-Proof Protections
In the next few years, higher education will shift from outdated legacy security and storage systems to ransomware-proof protections. The question isn’t if cyberattacks will come, but whether schools are prepared to outsmart them. In order for educators to lean into digital learning, improve data management and increase their security maturity, higher ed must adopt modern, immutable backup solutions. – David Bennett, Object First
10. Evolving From Delivering Content To Unlocking Potential
Access to information is no longer the barrier; information is everywhere. The real shift in higher ed will be turning that abundance into personalized, AI-driven growth. Instead of one-size-fits-all programs, learning will adapt to each student’s pace, goals and challenges. Education will evolve from delivering content to unlocking potential, transforming not just students, but also the future workforce. – Tariq Lorgat, Mass Ltd.
11. Strengthening Risk Management; Delivering Measurable ROI
As higher ed embraces digital transformation, cloud-native platforms and AI personalization will demand stronger governance and risk management to safeguard data and trust. Institutions will also lean on micro-credentials and analytics to deliver measurable ROI, aligning student outcomes with workforce and financial priorities. – Pratik Badri
12. Migrating To The Cloud
Since the pandemic, there has been a significant shift toward migrating on-premises platforms to the cloud. This addresses several key issues simultaneously: It modernizes systems, tightens security and enables connections to AI providers. By allowing users to log in from anywhere, it also opens the door to global competition and new market entry. – Konstantin Klyagin, Redwerk
13. Shifting From Granting Degrees To Providing Ongoing Experiences
The classroom won’t be a place you go to—it’ll be a platform you live in. Higher ed will shift from granting degrees to providing ongoing experiences, where learning is as continuous and personal as your iPhone. – Jehan Hamedi, Vizit
14. Using AI As A Teaching Partner
The next shift will be AI moving from an administrative support role to the more active role of a teaching partner. AI will not only be used for personalization, but also to help students learn complex, interdisciplinary topics. This will foster critical thinking, creativity and career readiness at scale. – Debdeep Mazumder, Tradeweb Markets
15. Connecting Degree Programs With Industry Needs
Universities will move beyond online delivery into adaptive, data-driven learning models. By investing in analytics and digital platforms, higher ed will personalize education at scale, provide early support for at-risk students, and connect degree programs more directly with employability and lifelong learning. The real shift will be from standard curricula to flexible pathways focused on real industry needs. – Maulikkumar Pandya, Eatance Inc.
16. Offering Stackable Micro-Credentials
We’ll see higher education shift toward on-demand, skills-based learning tied directly to industry demand. Digital platforms will let students earn stackable micro-credentials that align with evolving job requirements, turning universities into agile partners for career readiness. The value of a degree will be measured less by time spent and more by its ability to match real-world opportunities. – To Quang Duy, Newwave Solutions JSC
17. Driving A Resurgence Of In-Person Discussion And Debate
Even as tech-driven transformation empowers higher ed, the use of AI will drive a resurgence of in-person discussion, dialogue and debate. It’s a development that will help students sharpen their logic, test their ideas and strengthen their critical thinking. – Emily Lewis-Pinnell, Evaila
18. Providing AI-Driven ‘Academic Co-Pilots’
Higher ed will move toward providing AI-driven “academic co-pilots”—not just for learning, but for navigating the institution itself. These co-pilots will assist students with course selection, funding, wellness and career planning, merging data across systems to act as real-time advisors. This will shrink administrative barriers and let students focus more on learning and less on bureaucracy. – Jagadish Gokavarapu, Wissen Infotech
19. Better Serving Diverse Students
Technology opens up learning across borders. AI-powered personalization in higher education enables universities to serve diverse students better, enhance engagement and streamline feedback via tools like ChatGPT. However, while technology can boost participation and writing skills, it raises concerns about academic integrity, data privacy and the need to maintain human interaction. – Arpna Aggarwal
20. Using Predictive Analytics For Student Support
Universities are finally treating data as their most valuable asset. Smart campuses are using predictive analytics to identify struggling students before they fail, optimize resource allocation and personalize support services. This proactive approach transforms retention rates and student success. The shift from reactive to predictive is revolutionizing how institutions serve their communities. – Marc Fischer, Dogtown Media LLC