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Bryan School Introduces AI Workshop for Business Leaders

AI is everywhere. Some business professionals were early adopters. Some questioned the potential of this tool.

Whatever your initial reaction to artificial intelligence (AI), it’s here to stay. And because that’s the case, Bryan School of Business and Economics professor Marketa Lickley wants to help organizations ensure that AI enhances their overall success.

UNC Greensboro is an “early adopter” of AI, and the new Bryan School Executive Education: AI for Impact workshop that Rickley launched in January added to the university’s cache of advanced AI initiatives.

The four-part hands-on series, delivered online or in-person, leverages Rickley’s expertise in strategic management and applied AI to take a deep dive into the practical, strategic, and ethical implementation of AI in business.

She launched the workshop earlier this year with NEST, a full-service facilities management company in New Jersey, as her first client. NEST’s leadership includes two UNCG alumni, Rob Almond, CEO 2002, and John Brumbaugh, vice president of strategy, MA 2002 and 2007.

“NEST has been embracing AI for some time, and we want to be at the cutting edge of AI services,” says Almond. “When I heard about this curriculum from Dean Joy Badoury, I immediately applied.”

Faculty expertise powers AI workshops

For Rickley, his work in the AI ​​field grew out of broader strategic thinking about the role of faculty. When thinking about this, she thought about her research, her students, and her community.

“My role is to further the realm of knowledge through research and encourage students to effectively transform the workplace, as well as share insights with the wider community,” says Rickley.

The final goal really resonated with her. She created this workshop because she wants to ensure that businesses in the community take advantage of advances in tools like AI and apply them effectively for future success.

Rickley focuses on generative AI (GAI) and predictive AI (PAI) in his research and work with business managers. GAI learns patterns from data to create new content, and PAI analyzes historical data to predict future outcomes.

“I think it’s inherently interesting to be part of this ‘paradigm shift’ due to technological change,” she says. “I also like how AI allows us to think about difficult questions in new ways.”

How “AI for Impact” has evolved to help businesses

The Bryan School has been actively embracing aspects of AI, including using tools in faculty training and adding an AI concentration and graduate certificate, and Dean Badoury’s support has also provided a boost to the development of this program.

Rickley sought to contribute his skills by creating a workshop that makes AI accessible from a business perspective.

“We wanted to familiarize business professionals with using AI and give them a window into where AI is going,” she says.

The course was then developed, road tested and officially launched with NEST in February. The format is four 60- to 90-minute modules focused on AI for Productivity, AI Agent Development, Strategic AI Integration, and Ethical AI Implementation.

The modular format allows the program the flexibility to change its emphasis depending on the client’s needs, with the ability to place more or less emphasis on certain topics.

“We could not have launched this program without the combination of forward-thinking leadership and connections that the Bryan School has built over decades,” Rickley said.

Delivering practical AI applications and strategic clarity

Attendees should gain a clear, practical sense of how AI can benefit their organizations from this workshop, Lickley explains.

“GAI can provide inspiration for marketing, HR training, and many other functional roles,” she says. “PAI can, for example, analyze a company’s business model and make recommendations.”

Because of Rickley’s background, he knows how to discuss AI in a way that resonates with business leaders. She doesn’t approach conversations from a technical standpoint.

“Rather than getting into technical details, I focus on helping business leaders build intuition about how AI works and how they can integrate it to enhance their business models,” she says.

Organizations passionate about AI are ideal for this program. In other words, they want to use the technology and know they need to use it, but they need help navigating the sometimes scary landscape of information about AI.

“The idea of ​​using AI can be overwhelming for businesses,” Rickley says. “This course breaks down content into easy-to-understand parts and helps leaders decipher what’s worth investing in and what to skip.”

NEST’s pragmatic approach to AI

Rickley reflects on launching a workshop with NEST, a company led by UNCG alumni Almond and Brumbaugh to provide integrated facilities management support that enables brand consistency, cost-effectiveness, and efficient processes.

NEST’s strong group of forward-thinking managers was already pursuing AI integration, which made the workshop both engaging and real-world.

“NEST leadership had a great blend of curiosity and strategic pragmatism,” she says. “We looked at their current use of AI and what they could realistically build in six, 12 or 18 months.”

After the workshop, Almond said NEST remains focused on the automation and efficiency gained through AI implementation without losing the personal connection with customers.

“Each customer has a unique process, so we provide customized solutions for each customer,” he says. “However, by applying AI to each ‘strategy’, we can reduce response times and improve staff efficiency.”

Since they took this course, NEST has set up a ‘consultation center’ in Lickley. She sees the benefits of AI as increased common clarity and collaboration around AI.

“By attending this course, you will probably be able to think differently about certain strategic issues,” she says. “From there, you can decide how to adjust your processes to get the most out of AI.”

NEST leaders agree. In fact, one of their clients was flying across the country to attend AI sessions.

“This client, like my team, was blown away by what they learned in the workshop,” says Almond. “He made sure we were doing the right thing in embracing AI on a whole other level.”

Looking to the future: The rapidly changing landscape of AI

In this workshop, Rickley will help businesses navigate the complex world of AI by exploring the question, “Why AI?” What problem does it solve? Is it necessary? Where do we create value?

As GAI, PAI, and the responsible use of AI continue to evolve, AI for Impact will also change and evolve based on the needs of the businesses we serve.

Teaching this workshop allows Rickley to stay at the forefront of the conversation about AI.

“Teaching AI for Impact not only allows me to see where the industry is going, but also gives me a bird’s-eye view of what modern businesses are considering when it comes to AI,” she says.

Written by Amy Birch, AMBCopy
Photo courtesy of UNCG Bryan School.