A Q&A with Dr. Humberto Ariza
Dr. Humberto Ariza is Bay Path University’s inaugural Director of Augmented Intelligence Operations, guiding the integration of AI across academics and operations. A scholar, author, and international speaker, he brings more than a decade of experience in AI-powered and online education. At Bay Path, he champions a human-centered approach to AI that prepares students to use these tools confidently and responsibly in their careers.
What first sparked your interest in artificial intelligence—and did you always imagine it would become your career focus?
My interest in artificial intelligence emerged gradually through my broader work with educational technology, instructional design, and institutional systems. Technology has always been central to my research and professional practice, particularly how emerging tools can improve efficiency, quality, and access in higher education.
As someone who tends to adopt technologies early, it became clear to me that artificial intelligence would be part of the next major transformation in how institutions operate and support learning. I intentionally invested time in developing my expertise early so I could help institutions engage with AI thoughtfully rather than reactively.
That said, I do not see AI as the focus of my career. My focus has always been, and remains, student success, access to education, and helping institutions become more scalable and sustainable. Artificial intelligence is one of the tools I use to advance those goals.
What excites you most about the potential of AI in higher education, and what gives you pause?
What excites me most is AI’s ability to support hyper-personalized learning for students and allow educators and administrators to focus on high-impact work. The power of AI-powered automation also excites me. Offloading lower cognitive load tasks and repetitive pre-work allows us to open space in our days for deeper reflection, relationship building, mentoring, meaningful learning design and strategy. That potential is incredibly powerful when aligned with sound pedagogy and institutional values.
What gives me pause is the ethical dimension. AI raises important questions about equity, transparency, bias, access, and accountability. These concerns reinforce the need for strong governance, AI literacy, and intentional decision-making rather than unchecked adoption.
Outside of your professional role, what experiences or influences have most shaped the way you think about technology and its impact on people?
What has shaped my thinking most is seeing, day after day, how technology can either expand or limit access depending on how it is used. When designed intentionally, technology can democratize access and open doors for those who have historically been excluded.
Those experiences have reinforced my belief that technology is never neutral. Its impact depends entirely on the values, systems, and people guiding its use. That perspective strongly informs how I approach AI in higher education.
In your first year at Bay Path, what would success look like to you?
Success in my first year would mean establishing a shared foundation of AI literacy and discernment across the institution. When faculty, students, staff, and leaders understand what AI is, what it is not, and how it can responsibly support their work, institutions can have more informed and productive conversations.
Beyond awareness, that foundation enables meaningful academic and operational exploration. I would see success in moving from informed conversations to thoughtful experimentation and early implementation, where selected AI projects are piloted, evaluated, and aligned with institutional goals. The creation of that ecosystem, where people can see and experience how AI supports teaching, learning, student services, and operations, sets the conditions for sustainable impact.
If, within that first year, we are both building the institutional foundations and executing real academic and operational AI projects that demonstrate value, efficiency, and improved outcomes, that would be a significant win and a strong signal of long-term success.
If you could describe your leadership style in three words, what would they be, and why?
I would describe my leadership style as servant-oriented, agile, and transformational.
I believe leadership begins with listening and supporting others. Agility allows institutions to adapt thoughtfully in fast-changing environments, and transformation happens when people feel empowered, informed, and aligned around a shared purpose.
What is something people might be surprised to learn about you?
People are often surprised to learn that I have visited more than 30 countries and have lived in 5. Those experiences have shaped how I think about education, culture, and access on a global scale.
What book, hobby, experience, or volunteer work has impacted your life in a remarkable way?
One experience that has shaped me profoundly is volunteering and working with organizations that support individuals who are blind, visually impaired, and deaf as they build independence through education and skill development. Being part of those communities required me to think differently about how experiences are designed, communicated, and supported.
Through that work, I had to learn how visual, auditory, and assistive technologies intersect, and even learned American Sign Language to better engage with the Deaf community. It reinforced for me that technology and design must be accessible by default, not as an afterthought. That experience continues to shape my approach to innovation to ensure that systems and tools we put in place truly serve everyone.
What is a value you live by?
I strongly value respect, honesty, and trust. These principles guide how I work with colleagues, make decisions, and approach leadership.
How do you unplug and recharge?
I recharge by hiking, traveling, spending time with friends, enjoying good food and wine, and staying active through sports. Those moments help me stay grounded and balanced.