Meet the OEB24 Speakers: Keynote Kyle Bowen

Kyle Bowen is Deputy CIO at Arizona State University, the first university to formally partner with OpenAI, and a keynote speaker at this year’s OEB Conference. At ASU, Kyle leads strategic university efforts for effective uses of technology to advance institutional growth. He guides a portfolio of disciplines such as AI acceleration, learning experience and disruptive innovation.

Kyle is an experienced entrepreneur and frequent speaker on the role of technology to change education. He has co-authored and edited more than 20 books in the areas of design, online development and usability, and his work has appeared in the New York Times, USA Today and the Chronicle of Higher Education.

Here, we had the pleasure of speaking to Kyle to discover more about the person behind the speaker, and his insights into the digital learning industry as a confirmed keynote for this year’s conference…

Who, or what, was your most important teacher?

My most important teachers were the ones who let me try things out and fail – often. They encouraged me to be curious and try new things. Looking back over the years, the teachers, professors and mentors that motivated me to learn the most were the ones that helped create the space to explore.

What was your most important lesson?

The power of stories. Stories have a unique ability to connect, teach and inspire. It’s how we share experiences and understand each other. Stories are sticky. They linger in our minds and help us understand complex ideas.

What current learning trend do you think will have a lasting impact?

We have all been captivated by the role AI has in for education. We are just beginning to see how it enables creativity and personalization for learning. Allowing students to take control of their journey with topics of personal interest and focusing on their goals.

Which technology, in your view, had the biggest influence on the way we learn now?

The internet has enabled us all and has significantly changed how, where and with who we learn. It connected the unconnected and made learning accessible on a global scale. At the same time, it’s critical that we continue to make sure that everyone has equitable access and the digital fluency skills to use this technology to support learning, activism and entrepreneurship.

What is the coolest gadget/ technology/ tool you have seen lately?

One of the coolest technologies I’ve seen recently is the use of VR in biology education. It rethinks how most of us learned biology to use story narratives that connects with students in new ways. Making learning experiences for biology not only more engaging and interactive but also emotionally resonant, helping students develop a deeper connection to the material.

What would be the title of your autobiography?

“Exploring Unbroken Ground” describes my own journey to cultivate new territory and search for challenges to solve.

What was your first thought about our overall theme, ‘Brace for Transformation: The Courage to Redefine Learning’?

This theme emphasises the importance of learner agency in shaping educational journeys. It highlights the role we all have in co-creating a shared future where to support learners in pursuing their education.

Do you have a final message for the OEB community?

Let’s keep experimenting and sharing our stories. By trying new things and learning from each other, we can make education more inclusive, engaging, and effective for all learners.

Thank you, Kyle! Kyle will be speaking as a keynote at this year’s OEB Conference.