The release of Einstein, an autonomous AI agent designed to complete entire online courses, has prompted significant discussion among educators about academic integrity and the future of learning. Created by Advait Paliwal, Einstein integrates with Canvas to automate tasks such as attending lectures, reading materials, writing papers, and submitting assignments. While some educators see this as an opportunity to rethink pedagogical approaches, others worry it could undermine the value of online credentials and lead to increased academic fraud. The debate highlights the need for higher education institutions to adapt quickly to the capabilities of agentic AI.

Purdue University has expanded its free online professional development offerings for alumni, increasing the number of courses from a handful to 50. The courses, which cover AI, semiconductors and business essentials, are part of collaborations with companies such as Google. "By removing financial barriers, Purdue aims to ensure graduates can continue building their skills throughout their careers, regardless of where life or work takes them," says Dimitrios Peroulis, the university's senior vice president for partnerships and online.

Employers are increasingly receptive to online degrees, according to research from Virginia Commonwealth University. The study found that hiring managers are nearly 10 times more likely to hire someone with an online degree than before the COVID-19 pandemic, and that top executives are 13 times more likely to do so than other respondents. This shift reflects a broader societal trend toward skills-based hiring and the legitimization of online education.

A survey by EAB found that 46% of high-school students are using AI tools such as ChatGPT and Gemini to search for colleges, nearly double the number from spring 2025, as students use AI to find schools that match their academic profiles, research application requirements and even to decide against certain colleges. While students are wary of colleges using AI in communications, personalized content can improve engagement.