In an age where AI is restructuring every major industry, business universities emerged as positive leaders, embedding AI deep into not only the surface level but also in the curriculum, culture and career preparation strategies that begin on day one.
“When ChatGpt made the headline in November 2022, we didn't see it as a threat. We saw an opportunity to lead,” said Jim Strode, Associate Dean of the Undergraduate Program and O'Bleness Professor of Sports Management. “We were concerned about how AI would affect the classroom, but our faculty quickly shifted the conversation.
That positive thinking led to rapid innovation. For the first time at Ohio University, the College of Business has integrated generative AI policies into the course syllabus, setting expectations for ethical use and academic integrity. However, work did not stop at the policy. The university launched a practical initiative in the fall of 2024 to prepare all business students for a future where AI literacy is essential.
“At the heart of our strategy, we are making all students AI-enabled, not just AI-Aware,” said Gabe Giordano, Associate Dean of Graduate and Specialized Programs and Professor of Analytics and Information Systems. “Some institutions hesitated, but we acted. We immediately began training students, not just through theory, but through practical and meaningful applications.”
This strategy is not as visible as Copeland Core, his first year business experience at university. These entry-level courses guide students through basic business principles, select majors, connect with student organizations, and prepare them for competitive career opportunities.
