Preparing students for an AI driven future

Artificial intelligence (AI) is no longer a distant concept, but a reality shaping industries and redefining the skills businesses demand. At the College of Business, two initiatives are leading the charge to ensure faculty and students are ready: the AI Affinity Group and the AI Task Force. Together, both groups aim to prepare students to leverage AI and equip faculty with resources to integrate it into their teaching.

The AI Affinity Group began as an informal collaboration among faculty who shared growing, diverse interests in AI. “While we all recognized the influence of AI, we were not effectively sharing ideas across business disciplines. Therefore, we decided to create an informal group, built on the collaborative CoB culture, to explore AI together, without too many rules or mandates,” said Irvine “Bud” Clarke, professor of Marketing and director of the International Business program, who helped launch the group.

Their short-term focus is to advance discussions within the college and learn from one another, sharing tips, tricks and best-use practices. Long-term, Clarke envisions a future where faculty and staff feel so comfortable with AI that the meetings are no longer needed. While the Affinity Group is just for faculty, its efforts will influence how AI is integrated into courses and assignments, ultimately benefitting all. Discussions about how faculty can personally use AI have flourished as well, particularly on how to incorporate the use of AI into their research endeavors.

Many are already experimenting with AI tools in areas like computer information systems, finance, marketing and core business courses, but there is still a need for formalized, consistent guidelines. While the Affinity Group fosters grassroots collaboration, the AI Task Force is charged with shaping the college’s strategic approach.

Composed of 18 members representing every College of Business department, as well as the Hart School of Hospitality, Sport and Recreation Management, the School of Strategic Leadership Studies, the Advising and Support Center, and business librarians, the Task Force is gathering data on how AI is currently being used for teaching, research and productivity.

“The primary short-term goal is to get an understanding of how AI is being used in the college,” said Laura Atkins, senior lecturer of Computer Information Systems and chair of the Task Force.  Some students and faculty might be using AI as a productivity tool, while others may be generating assignments or asking students to complete assignments using AI, shared Atkins. Every department is doing something different, but there is no shared governance on the matter.

“From there, the group will make recommendations about where we should be and what we should be doing,” said Atkins. The Task Force will present their findings and recommendations to the Dean of the college in December, who will eventually report to the university’s Provost.

Right now, the main priority is teaching students how to use AI responsibly. “Students will enter workplaces where AI is part of daily operations,” Atkins explained. “We need to prepare them for ethical and effective use.” The Task Force is also considering centralized guidance, faculty training and funding for AI tools since many currently rely on free versions or pay out of pocket for premium access.

Both groups agree that success means more than adopting technology—it’s about creating a culture of responsible innovation. For the Affinity Group, that means sparking conversations and sharing resources. For the Task Force, it means formal policies, training and curriculum updates that equip students for an AI-driven business world.

As Atkins said, “Long-term success will include guidance for faculty and students, training opportunities and a clear strategy for ethical AI use.” With these efforts underway, the College of Business is positioning itself, and its graduates, to be at the forefront of the AI revolution.