Artificial Intelligence at Gies

Learn to lead with AI-focused courses

At Gies Business, AI isn’t something you learn about once – it’s something you learn with, every day. Gies offers a large selection of courses that incorporate AI – or are fully centered around AI – that will help you lead in the era of intelligent technology.

Students in Professor Douglas Laney’s class interview Cleo, an award-nominated AI chatbot that simulates a corporate communications director. By asking Cleo questions about data strategy, governance, and monetization, students practice real-world business conversations—developing critical thinking, analytical, and communication skills essential for today’s data-driven economy.

AI dubbing for global access

Through AI-powered translation and lip-synced dubbing, we’re piloting multilingual versions of courses, breaking language barriers for global learners.

Smart learning support

Our AI-powered chatbots offer 24/7 support for online students—answering questions, explaining concepts, and guiding learners in real time.

Spaces that support the future

AI innovation needs the right environment, and our new facilities – especially our brand new Steven S. Wymer Hall make that possible. Opened in Fall 2025, Wymer Hall features flexible classrooms, a 200-seat auditorium, and informal learning spaces. Two 40x40-foot sound stages support our AI-driven digital course production—from green screens to news-desk setups. And our collaborative learning spaces, including our tiered auditorium with group discussion tables, promote dynamic, AI-supported engagement.

Partnering with AI industry leaders

Through our partnership with Google, Gies students gain access to cutting-edge AI platforms like Gemini and NotebookLM. You'll develop hands-on expertise with the same tools shaping the future of business.

How is AI used at Gies Business?

At Gies Business, AI is transforming how we deliver education – making it more agile, inclusive, and impactful. We combine the strengths of AI with the expertise of our world-class faculty and staff to deliver an education that is more personal and engaging than humans alone could provide.

AI is already part of today’s business world, and it’s part of your education at Gies Business. No matter which major you pursue, you will engage with AI in many of your classes. Employers expect graduates to know how to use AI effectively, and our faculty use AI both to enhance the learning experience and help you succeed in your career from day one.

The question isn’t whether to use AI; it’s how to use it well. At Gies, we teach you to use AI responsibly and intentionally.

Will I be expected to use AI in my coursework?

Faculty decide how and when students are allowed to use AI in their classes.

In many courses across all majors, you will learn how to use AI tools appropriately and responsibly. AI can be helpful for brainstorming ideas, practicing interviews, drafting initial outlines, and debugging code. However, we also teach you when AI use can be risky, such as outsourcing your judgment, skipping foundational skill development, copying without evaluating output, and compromising academic integrity.

Our goal is for you to be able to leverage AI effectively, rather than depend on it.

Should I be worried about AI replacing my future career?

It’s completely normal to feel anxious. AI brings both excitement and uncertainty. We believe AI is going to change how you work, as opposed to displacing you from the workforce. Some repetitive work is changing. At the same time, skills like critical thinking, communication, creativity, and ethical judgment are becoming even more valuable.

AI can generate content, but it cannot build relationships, exercise sound judgment, or make values-based decisions. At Gies, we focus on building the human skills that grow in value as automation increases.

How does Gies address the ethical and environmental concerns around AI?

We recognize that many students feel tension between using AI and caring deeply about sustainability and ethical responsibility. We don’t ignore that tension; we discuss it openly.

In courses like AI in Business and Disruption and Emerging Technologies, you’ll explore the environmental impact and energy use of AI, ethical implications of AI systems, and ways AI can improve sustainability efforts. Responsible leadership means asking questions like “Should I use AI here?” and “What impact does this decision have?”

It's also not enough to simply operate effectively within existing power structures; Gies students learn to lead responsibly with AI. You'll learn about the political economy of AI — who owns the platforms, who controls the data, how AI concentrates market power, and what governance responses are appropriate.

How are digital avatars used by faculty?

Some Gies Business faculty use digital avatars for some recorded video lecture portions of their class. Course content is always developed by our faculty and there is always a live professor during actual class sessions. Digital avatars are used sparingly in most courses that they appear in (e.g., only in an introduction video). In some cases, digital avatars are used by some faculty as a resource for quickly updating course information, which is especially important in fields that are changing rapidly. Importantly, Gies Business faculty are always fully transparent with students when AI is being used, and we encourage and welcome feedback from students about how AI is being used in their classes.

Are faculty using AI to grade student work?

In some courses, instructors may use AI tools to assist with limited grading tasks – always under direct faculty supervision. AI-assisted grading allows instructors to assign more stimulating projects and provide deeper and more personalized feedback – both of which benefit learning.

Faculty always maintain oversight and control, and they will tell you when and how they’re using AI. We also collect student feedback whenever AI grading is used, and that feedback shapes how and when it is used moving forward.

How does Gies Business ensure AI enhances (not replaces) the learning experience?

We operate under the core principle that AI should support learning, not replace human connection.

Faculty always remain central to teaching and assessment, and we always maintain strong human oversight. We invest heavily in faculty upskilling, responsible AI integration, ongoing academic integrity conversations, and ethical leadership in AI education.

Will students have a voice in how AI is used?

Yes! Student feedback plays an important role in how we implement AI. As we test new technologies, we ask for student input. That feedback helps us decide whether to continue using a tool, how to improve its implementation, and when adjustments are needed

Your voice matters. And we listen.