LISLE, Ill. – May 26, 2026 – Artificial intelligence (AI) dominates headlines in 2026. As AI integrates into every facet of the learner experience and the workforce, the real story isn’t happening inside algorithms, but rather behind them.
“The people shaping the future of artificial intelligence are rarely the ones making headlines,” said Bill Kleyman. “But AI doesn’t run on vibes. Behind every AI breakthrough, app or cloud platform, there are humans in the loop making it possible.”
Kleyman is among those leading the charge. A three-time DeVry graduate, he has spent more than two decades working across data center operations, cloud infrastructure and AI platform architecture. Now as co-founder and CEO of Apolo, he has watched the backbone of modern digital transformation evolve in real time.
“It’s technologists: operators, engineers, data center teams, network architects, cybersecurity professionals, facility experts, project managers, electricians and cooling specialists doing the real work,” he noted. “They’re the ones keeping the digital economy alive, not ChatGPT.”
The Bigger Problem: Skills Readiness
AI is only as powerful as the infrastructure, and the people that sustain it.
A 2026 global workforce readiness study from Pearson found only 28% of employers believe higher education is keeping pace with AI-driven workforce demands. Meanwhile, 60% of organizations identified skills gaps as a greater organizational risk than staffing shortages according to a 2026 SANS | GIAC Cybersecurity Workforce Report.
The challenge is no longer simply filling technical roles. It is ensuring employees have the evolving qualifications needed to secure, scale and operationalize increasingly complex digital systems.
“AI literacy is becoming foundational workforce literacy,” said Chris Campbell, chief information officer at DeVry University. “Our responsibility is to help learners build both technical fluency and the ability to adapt as technology continues to evolve.”
“The real differentiator is whether you know what to do with AI output in the real world,” Kleyman added.
Higher Education’s New Responsibility
That shift is already changing how CIOs hire, how companies evaluate talent and how higher education must prepare the next generation of talent for an evolving workforce.
“The pace of technological change means learning can no longer be episodic. It has to be continuous,” added Campbell. “Preparing students for the future means teaching systems thinking, adaptability and how technology operates in real environments. The workplace is evolving too quickly for education to remain static.”
Campbell believes institutions must act as real-world learning labs.
“At DeVry, we view the university as a learning environment not just for students, but for innovation itself,” Campbell said. “We experiment carefully, learn from the results and apply those lessons to both the learner experience and how we operate as an institution.”
A Student Voice
That real-world preparation is already shaping students like Cosme Rios II, who will deliver this year’s undergraduate commencement address as he graduates with his Bachelor of Science in Engineering Technology this spring.
“Before, there were things I thought were out of reach,” he said. “Now I look at possibilities in data, artificial intelligence and technology with much more confidence, not just interest. This journey showed me I’m capable of more than I believed.”
The goal is to not only build confidence and teach learners to use AI tools, but rather prepare them to understand the infrastructure, systems thinking and technical judgment required to make those tools useful in the real world.
The Human Advantage
The future, Campbell and Kleyman note, belongs to learners who can integrate technology with judgment, creativity and human-centered skills.
“The truth is, you’re not going to be replaced by AI,” said Kleyman. “You’re going to be replaced by someone who knows how to use AI.”
“AI can accelerate work, but it does not replace judgment, context or accountability,” Campbell added. “The real value still comes from people who understand how to apply technology effectively and responsibly.”
To learn more about how DeVry is preparing students for an AI-driven workforce, click here.
