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The Evolving Role of Technology in Higher Education and the Future of Work

By Chris Campbell 

November 14, 2025

6 min read

Technology in higher education is transforming how we teach, learn, and prepare people for the future of work. What began as a period of digital disruption has evolved into something more deliberate — orchestration. The most forward-thinking universities are no longer chasing every new platform; they’re aligning people, data, and innovation to create learning environments that help learners adapt and thrive in the classroom and beyond.
 

As someone who built a career at the intersection of technology and humanity, I often think of innovation as composition — it works best when every note, every human voice, has room to be heard. Artificial intelligence, analytics, and automation are powerful instruments, but they need a score. Higher education provides that structure — the rhythm that turns technological noise into purpose and measurable outcomes.

The new focus: career-ready technology skills

Our Bridging the Gap workforce research shows that while most professionals believe technology will impact their careers, fewer feel ready for it. Employers see the same challenge from the other side, citing concerns that their workforce lacks the skills to remain competitive.

Outside studies support our findings: According to the World Economic Forum’s The Future of Jobs Report (2023), nearly half of workers’ core skills will shift between 2023 and 2027. This distance between potential and preparedness isn’t a talent gap; it’s a readiness gap. That’s where universities can intercept the divide and equip students with the career-ready technology skills they need, not just for employability but also for sustained job mobility in the labor market.

Digital transformation in universities: creating connected learning ecosystems

Across higher education, digital transformation in universities is reshaping how learning happens. Here at DeVry University, we focus on helping students through innovative programs, industry partnerships, and an emphasis on real-world application.

A few key ways we do this include:

  • AI in education to personalize learning and anticipate needs

  • Career-ready technology skills embedded across disciplines

  • Blended and online learning tools that help make education accessible for working adults

  • Connected data systems linking classroom, advising, and career outcomes

This holistic approach helps bridge technology in higher education with employability, so students can build the agility and confidence needed to succeed in a world shaped by continuous technological change.

Bridging technology and lifelong learning

The future of work and education is now inseparable. As automation and AI reshape industries, adaptability — not technical prowess — has become the most valuable skill. Inevitably, technology will continue to change and advance. Therefore, the ability to learn, unlearn, and relearn is a critical driver of career durability.

McKinsey’s future of work analysis notes that the most resilient employees combine analytical and self-leadership skills: communication, critical thinking, and adaptability are the most imperative of these in an economy reshaped by automation. EDUCAUSE’s Top 10 technology issues report echoes that insight for higher education, underscoring the need to align digital strategy with human experience. Both perspectives reinforce what we see daily: The future belongs to learners who can integrate technology with soft skills like empathy, creativity, and judgment.

Building a future-ready university

At DeVry University, we’re orchestrating a connected, tech-driven learning environment that reflects the evolving demands of work. Through responsible use of data, AI, and automation — combined with human-centered design — we help learners build durable skills for the future.

Technology in higher education isn’t a single initiative; it’s an ongoing commitment to relevance. It means connecting innovation, data-driven insights, and people so that every learner can progress with purpose and find opportunity, regardless of the labor market landscape.

Unlock the value of a career-driven education

Education is about more than just building skills — it’s about being equipped to tackle whatever comes next in your career. Discover how we’re meeting the workplace needs of tomorrow head-on with programs aligned to the skills employers want.

About the author

Chris Campbell, Chief Information Officer at DeVry University
Chris Campbell, Chief Information Officer at DeVry University

Chris Campbell is Chief Information Officer at DeVry University, where he leads enterprise technology strategy, data modernization, and digital transformation. His work focuses on translating emerging technologies into human and business impact through innovation, governance, and lifelong learning.

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