# How to Buy AI in 2026

Page: https://stenobird.com/podcast/higher-intelligence-6721297/how-to-buy-ai-in-2026
Text version: https://stenobird.com/podcast/higher-intelligence-6721297/how-to-buy-ai-in-2026.md
Podcast: [Higher Intelligence](https://stenobird.com/podcast/higher-intelligence-6721297)
Published: 2026-06-09T07:00:00+00:00
Episode link: https://higher-intelligence.simplecast.com/episodes/how-to-buy-ai-in-2026-ES_IU_K2
Audio file: https://afp-232483-injected.calisto.simplecastaudio.com/9e1df961-05bd-43c4-97c5-74c3f315a7ba/episodes/4aeb0e57-bc53-4e52-bf58-bf0c501afc89/audio/128/default.mp3?aid=rss_feed&awCollectionId=9e1df961-05bd-43c4-97c5-74c3f315a7ba&awEpisodeId=4aeb0e57-bc53-4e52-bf58-bf0c501afc89&feed=34l7JQin
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JSON: https://stenobird.com/v1/public/podcasts/higher-intelligence-6721297/episodes/how-to-buy-ai-in-2026
Duration seconds: 3199

## Resource

JC is joined by Element451 Chief Revenue Officer Trey Boyer and VP of Customer Strategy & Technology Kelly Sinacola to discuss the complexities of buying AI in higher education. They examine why many campuses struggle to realize ROI on AI investments, highlight the pitfalls of shiny demos and vaporware, and emphasize frameworks for selecting the right problems to solve. The conversation covers data readiness, the importance of organizational culture, and how successful AI adoption depends on people and process—not just technology. Practical advice is shared for institutional leaders preparing to make significant AI purchases.

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## Transcript

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