AI in the Business Classroom: Enhancing Learning Outcomes with AI in BIZ 201

Dr. Tahani Abdallah, lecturer and director of BIZ 201: Business Cases and Communications, spearheads the integration of artificial intelligence (AI) into business education at the University of Dayton. Her mission is to empower first-year students to become confident, self-sufficient learners who grasp the significance of responsibly utilizing AI in business settings.

In BIZ 201, students engage with real-world case studies across various business disciplines while honing essential communication skills, such as persuasive presentations and effective writing. Dr. Abdallah emphasizes the importance of guiding students on how to leverage AI tools to enhance their educational journeys.

As students initially approached AI with hesitation, they learned that its purpose is not to do the thinking for them but to facilitate improved cognitive processes. For instance, Ella O’Brien, a management sophomore, realized that AI serves as a valuable resource for deeper academic engagement rather than a shortcut to answers.

The course employs several AI tools, including FlyerGPT and Google Notebook LM, enabling students to build digital assistants for answering course-related questions and generating practice exams. More than 400 first-year students have successfully completed AI-powered projects, fostering essential skills in problem-solving and teamwork. One notable achievement included a team project where students researched complex concepts and effectively communicated their understanding to peers, showcasing the transformative power of AI in education.

Students like O’Brien report significant benefits from AI, particularly in exam preparation. Using Notebook LM, she generates personalized study materials, enhancing her understanding and boosting her confidence for future internships.

Abdallah encourages feedback and continuous adaptation of teaching methods to ensure students are prepared for their business careers. Her approach equips future leaders to think critically and communicate effectively, harnessing AI’s potential in multiple business contexts.

The discussion about the future of AI often overlooks a crucial perspective—today’s generation of kids. Lego Education aims to change this narrative through its innovative campaign featuring the world's first student-led AI study and a short film titled "We Trust in Kids." This initiative encourages children to voice their opinions on AI's role in classrooms and how to use it responsibly, emphasizing their importance in shaping future educational practices.

The film, directed by acclaimed documentarian Lauren Greenfield and created by Edelman, showcases kids from diverse backgrounds sharing their insights on AI. During an engaging shoot, children brainstormed ideas about how AI can enhance learning in schools. Notably, the project highlights the positive outlook of kids towards technology, as many see AI as an opportunity rather than a threat.

Furthermore, the accompanying AI study revealed that 65% of kids feel excluded from AI conversations, and 83% believe adults dictate how it's integrated into education. To address this gap, Lego Education is launching a new curriculum for K-8 students that focuses on collaboration, creativity, and practical learning outcomes. This curriculum will include kits with Lego bricks and hardware designed for various learning levels, set to ship in April.

Lego Education's approach underscores a commitment to empowering children as active participants in their learning journey. This campaign not only gives kids a voice in the conversation about AI in education but also equips them with essential skills to navigate the future confidently.

The University of Hawaiʻi at Hilo is evolving its business programs to meet the rising workforce demand for professionals skilled in artificial intelligence (AI). Starting in the fall semester of 2026, the College of Business and Economics will introduce a new AI concentration within its Bachelor of Business Administration program, alongside a certificate in AI for all majors. These offerings aim to equip students with essential technical skills for AI applications in business, governance, and science.

Led by Sukhwa Hong and Chenbo Shi, the initiative emphasizes the integration of AI into various fields. As Hong notes, “AI is already embedded in how work gets done across almost every field,” highlighting the necessity for educational institutions to adapt. The curriculum will focus on improving students' expertise in AI integration, critical thinking, and ethical usage, giving them a competitive edge in their careers.

The new AI concentration will feature 18 credits of cross-listed courses that bridge business and data science, focusing on programming languages such as R and Python for AI applications. The revamped AI certificate will ensure accessibility for students from diverse majors, fostering practical AI skills applicable to various fields, including social sciences, education, and the arts.

Additionally, new courses like an introductory prompt engineering class cater to students without a technical background, enhancing understanding of large language models (LLMs) and community-based projects. Existing courses will be updated to include comprehensive AI applications, emphasizing responsible use and validation of AI outputs. Collectively, these changes reflect the College's commitment to preparing a workforce equipped to leverage AI effectively and ethically across multiple disciplines.

Standardized testing is a critical aspect of American education, enabling comparison of academic performance across schools and identification of achievement gaps. However, it falls short in capturing essential soft skills such as decision-making, intellectual curiosity, and grit. A promising method to teach and assess these abilities is through structured debate, which encourages students to make claims, support them with evidence, and engage with counterarguments in an engaging manner.

Artificial intelligence (AI) can significantly enhance debate-centered instruction, making it more accessible and effective. By integrating AI, schools can facilitate structured debates more frequently, offering students valuable learning experiences during the school day. AI applications include providing personalized question prompts, generating tailored feedback, and summarizing debates to help teachers identify student learning patterns quickly. This allows educators to focus on guiding discussions and addressing gaps in understanding without being bogged down by preparation.

For example, AI can serve as a practice partner, offering students the opportunity to clarify claims and consider alternative perspectives, preparing them for in-person discussions. Moreover, it allows teachers to create customized materials that meet diverse skill levels within a single classroom, enabling broader participation and deeper engagement.

The potential benefits are substantial, especially in under-resourced schools, where AI can reduce the barriers to implementing debate programs, allowing more students to practice argumentation and critical thinking. By integrating AI into the classroom, educators can provide richer learning experiences that enhance students’ reasoning and communication skills, aligning with the goals of contemporary educational frameworks like UNESCO's 2030 initiative. Properly implemented, AI-supported debate can serve as an effective complement to standardized tests, fostering essential skills that traditional assessments overlook.