Thank you to the author, publisher and NetGalley for the ARC to this book.

I really wanted to love this book, but I found myself struggling to get through it. Unfortunately, I am not an educator by trade and I think this is written for them. I had hoped to find some insight on practical ways that I could apply AI to teaching but I did not quite find this here. The last few chapters were much more helpful in this aspect. I do not think this is a bad book at all, but I think I just wasn't the target audience.

A helpful look at what AI could mean for the future for Universities and other educational institutions, told from the POV of an experienced university teacher and his own real-life experience and experiments with the creative ways AI can be used in class to enhance and enrich student leaning. In particular his reflections on how AI can assist students from many diferent backgrounds, cultures, learning styles and abilities is very persuasive. It served to calm my own doubts about AI, especially around 'cheating' and students taking the easy way out.

Kevin Hallinan uses his experience in teaching mechanical engineering to provide a comprehensive and detailed examination of how artificial intelligence (AI) influences the present and future of education. In his book, he systematically outlines the concept of AI in education across several chapters, explaining its applications and how it integrates with various teaching methodologies.

Hallinan shares numerous examples of how he has implemented AI in his classroom, along with ideas and GTPs for educators to follow. He emphasises that AI is not just a tool but a transformative force that can enhance the roles of both learners and instructors, making the learning experience more meaningful and individualistic when applied effectively.

One of his goals is to restore universities to foster unity between teaching and research. This book is an essential resource for any educator, and I highly recommend it for those looking to understand and harness AI’s potential in their teaching practices.

University Revolution offers an interesting perspective on AI in education. I chose this book to get a general overview of how educators are utilizing AI. Hallinan provides through-provoking insight to using AI. I can’t say I’m completely sold on the so called ‘values’ of AI, my fear is that technology is moving at a faster pace that most of us are prepared for.

Thank you NetGalley for the advanced digital copy in exchange for an honest review.
#NetGalley

University Revolution explores how AI is reshaping higher education—from personalized learning to the changing role of teachers. It’s insightful and accessible, raising big questions about the future of universities. While a bit too optimistic at times, it’s a must-read for anyone curious about the intersection of tech and education.

The author's Amazon bio, clearly sourced from here:
Dr. Kevin Hallinan is Emeritus Professor of Mechanical and Aerospace Engineering at the University of Dayton and Director of Impact Mining at Synota.io, where he advances solar micro-grids and AI-driven eduction in sub-Saharan Africa. A NASA researcher early in his career, he later founded UD's ETHOS program and Renewable and Clean Energy Program, focusing on engineering for social impact. Known for pioneering transdisciplinary learning, his recent work explores big data, machine learning, and the role of AI in education. This book reflects his ongoing experiments with equitable AI. All proceeds support the AI 4 All movement.

His website, linked from University of Dayton's page for him (linked above) contains a tab entitled "My AI Agents."

This gent is a true believer. I don't agree with him on the uses of AI in education. Work harder for it than you've ever worked in your life is more my speed. However, he is aware of problems that normies have with AI's developers' theft of intellectual property enough to have an AI Agent called "Ethical AI Mentor". I myownself do not believe such a concept carries any meaning whatsoever until all AI developers assign all...100%...of all past and future income from any and all sources, personal or professional, to a reparations fund that fully supports artists, journalists, writers, actors, and ad-copy-writing hacks...but zero for executives, investors, or other capitalists...the world over, to the AI thieves' desired standard of living while they subsist in The Felonious Yam's Salvadoran prisons with no internet access.

That being up there with guillotines for billionaires in the likelihood sweeps, realistic acceptance of the way LLMs are going to be used demands understanding what the plan is for that use.

There isn't one. There's about a hundred. Flood the field, boys, pick their pockets while they're whirling around in confusion!

Making yourself aware of the parameters of the grift and what a possible decent case for use and development of it is can very profitably start here. This gent clearly thinks there's a case for moving ahead in this direction, believing the owners of AI will actually allow fair and equitable access to the technology, and allow it to close massive advantage gaps that it could undeniably do. That being the same kind of naïve thinking that gave us engagement maximization algorithms back in the "internet can be good" era, I'm confident crushing regulatory burdens and confiscatory levels of taxation around the globe are clearly going to be required to stop this hideous future from coming to be.

As that would require actual forethought and cooperation among nations, I suppose the thieves are safe. I refer you the the UN for an example of what this concept looks like.

Being a tiny, trivially easy to swat nobody, I expect to be targeted and punished for daring not to be on board with this crap. If I vanish, you'll know why. NB LINKS TO DEFINITIONS AND SOURCES ARE IN MY BLOGGED REVIEW.

As I wanted a basic overall, general knowledge idea of what AI was about and it's potential for learning without cheating, I found this author's comprehensive input a bit more than I could chew. It was too much information for me. Therefore, I did stumble over the more detailed, technical aspects of the book. However, at other parts I read eagerly.

I suppose it could be concluded this book can be read by most people: those who only wish to dip their toes in, but more for those who wish to become more fully immersed with greater understanding of how AI, especially ChatGPT, could be more transformative in arenas of higher learning.

Whether on the educator's part for lessson prep or assignment grading, or on the students' part for research, among other functions, I gather that the author seems to be saying AI enhances the experience exponentially and with much greater efficiency. On the other hand, Kevin P. Hallinan, the author, cautions over usage that eliminates the human touch and interaction that could potentially and harmfully, be lost.

I feel that Hallinan, although excited and enthusiastic at the great potential AI has in positively transforming the university learning experiences, has quite a balanced view in recommending the use of AI, notably of ChatGPT. In my opinion, since Hallinan draws on his own developed and developing process of incorporating AI use for himself as a university professor of many years (now retired), and of guiding his students therein, he has a realistic approach that could manifestly assist others in their usage of AI in today's generation and beyond.

~ Eunice C., Reviewer/Blogger ~

May 2025

Disclaimer: This is my honest opinion based on the complimentary review copy sent by NetGalley and the publisher.

When I saw this book I knew I had to read it! I’m a teacher AND a mom and I know that AI isn’t going anywhere.
I have started to use it in my classroom. I plugged in my students’ names and created a scenario. Next AI generated a mystery story with students names and cane up with multiple choice and get response questions. So AI can definitely make my life easier. I also used it to write report card comments.
I am nervous about children using it to do their homework. But as educators, we need to stay one step ahead of them and give them projects that force them to think on their own.
We can live with AI, we just have to figure it out.

AI isn’t something to fear—it’s a chance to rethink how we connect with students, support teachers, and prepare learners for a changing world. This shift is already underway. Whether you’re a teacher, administrator, parent, or student, this book offers valuable insights into the future of education.
Most people initially think of using AI as cheating, and it's true that it can definitely be misused in that nature, but in this book, Hallinan outlines some methods and uses of artificial intelligence that streamline processes and also revolutionize teaching as we know it.