EP 5: Vidur Kalive Unpacks How to Build AI Culture that Feels Safe, Useful, and Shared | What the Tech Podcast

In a Nutshell

EPISODE OVERVIEW

What if the secret to successful AI adoption isn't moving faster, but moving more thoughtfully?

In this episode, Onyeka sits down with Vidur Kalive, Lead AI Architect at York University, who's spent seven years building AI solutions in a space where the stakes are incredibly high—and where getting it wrong could change a student's entire future.

Vidur breaks down why educators need to know about AI, reveals the biggest misconception about AI in schools, and shares how York University built an AI culture that feels safe, useful, and shared.

This isn't a story about deploying the latest shiny tool. It's about what happens when you start with learning objectives instead of technology, build communities instead of isolated power users, and measure success in ways that go beyond the numbers on a dashboard.

If you've ever wondered how to build AI adoption that sticks—or why governance matters more than speed—this conversation is for you.

INSIDE THE CONVERSATION

👋 Meet Vidur and his world of AI in education

🐢 Why education has to move slowly with AI

🎓 Is AI just a cheating tool or are we missing the point

⚖️ How AI can completely change a student's future

🎯 What educators get wrong when they start with AI

🏫 How AI shows up in different classrooms at York

🤝 Why building a community beats learning AI alone

🌱 Vidur's journey from curiosity to culture in 7 years

🔍 The skill Google took away that AI makes you rebuild

💬 The heated AI debates that make Vidur better

EP 5 Vidur Kalive AI Podcast Bio Image

ABOUT THE SPEAKER

Vidur Kalive

Lead AI Architect, York University

Vidur Kalive is the Lead AI Architect at York University, where he spearheads the design and implementation of large-scale artificial intelligence solutions that transform the higher‑education landscape.

With over 12 years of experience delivering enterprise-grade AI innovations across universities in Australia and Canada, Vidur has established himself as a leading voice in applying advanced technologies to complex academic and administrative environments.

A recognized thought leader in the global AI and innovation community, Vidur has served as a Gartner Expert Judge Panellist, contributing his expertise to evaluate emerging technologies and groundbreaking digital initiatives. His work has earned multiple prestigious accolades, including the CUCCIO Innovation Award (2021), the Gartner Innovation Award—Winner in 2022 and Finalist in 2024—as well as the CIOs Canada Innovation Award (2024) and the CAUBO Innovation Award (2025).

Known for his strategic vision and hands-on technical leadership, Vidur continues to champion responsible AI adoption and impactful digital transformation across higher education, driving measurable outcomes that enhance institutional effectiveness, student experience, and operational excellence.

EPISODE HIGHLIGHTS

Mic Drop Moments

In higher education, AI leadership is less about moving fast. It's more about moving thoughtfully at scale.

Value doesn't come from just talking to an AI tool. The value comes from actually integrating AI into one of your existing workflows.

The biggest gift that AI has given me is something that Google took away from us—it forces you to really think about the problem and put that into words.

If you don't know what a good answer is before you ask the question, you won't recognize when AI gives you one.

SEASON 2 | EPISODE 5

Vidur Kalive Unpacks How to Build an AI Culture That Feels Safe, Useful, and Shared