The Cognitive-Affective-Social Theory on (digital) Learning Environments (CASTLE)

People risk embracing complacency and allowingmachines to make important decisions. As AI tools forteaching and learning become more ubiquitous, institutionsmust take great care to preserve the core goals of highereducation and foster uniquely human skills. Beyond “human-in-the-loop,” people must maintain control of systems,processes, and decision-making. Whatever the future holds,effectively leveraging AI tools for teaching and learning willrequire faculty, staff, and students to work together andshare ownership

The focus on AI deregulation and industrygrowth in the United States is deepening. TheTrump administration is focusing on deregulation andprivate-sector innovation, with Executive Order 14179removing AI restrictions to boost U.S. economic and securityinterests. This strategy has contributed to delays in AIregulation abroad. Additionally, the administration hasrolled back AI guardrails, loosening oversight on ethical andlabor protections. As part of this broader shift, PresidentTrump has appointed key advisers from the technologyindustry to oversee policy developments in the areas ofAI, crypto, data privacy, and online freedom of speech,raising questions about the varying interests of industry andpotential regulatory impacts. This approach may speed up AIdevelopment but could shift the locus of effort from collegesand universities to corporations, making higher educationmore reliant on industry funding while reducing independentoversight of AI ethics and governance. Meanwhile, in themidst of regulatory uncertainty, institutions are creating theirown AI policies and guidelines, and some are even developingtheir own secure AI platforms to protect data and avoidexternal control. As AI continues to evolve, institutions mustcarefully balance innovation, ethical and responsible use ofAI, and academic independence while navigating an uncertainregulatory landscape.FURTHER READINGThe Chronicle of Higher Education“The Next Update of the CarnegieClassification Will Be Its Biggest Yet”American Council on Education“Colleges Brace for Implementation ofNew Federal Regulations”CNBC“How AI Regulation Could ShakeOut in 2025”

By implementing these tools, institutions could capture abroader representation of student capabilities and learning byaccounting for work-based learning, service and communityengagement, research, creative achievements, leadershiproles, social and cultural experiences, entrepreneurialactivities, technical certifications, and microcredentials.

experiences that closelysimulate real-world environments, enabling students todevelop practical, job-specific skills in a safe and controlledsetting. This could be particularly helpful in fields such ashealth care

Transformation

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Constraint

Growth

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