HENDERSON, Ky. (WEHT) – The University of Southern Indiana (USI) Roman College of Business has announced the construction of an Applied Business Technology Center. The center is a facility designed to prepare students for careers at the intersection of business and emerging technologies, particularly artificial intelligence (AI).
USI announced that more than $1.3 million in philanthropic donations have been made by alumni and friends of USI. The center will be located on the first floor of the Business and Engineering Center and is scheduled to open in fall 2026.
Officials said the center will be located adjacent to the building’s main entrance and will provide a new look to the building’s interior and also serve as an exhibit. This space brings together labs, collaborative learning environments, and industry-leading technology in a contemporary learning space. This will give both undergraduate and graduate students early and continued access to advanced technologies that will reshape their businesses.
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“The Center for Applied Business Technology will be the melting pot where innovation meets need, data turns into actionable insight, and the future of business is built,” said Sudesh Mujumdar, dean of the USI Roman College of Business. “We are not just building new centers, we are developing tomorrow’s leaders who will drive superior performance in all sectors of the economy.”
USI notes that the Center for Applied Business Technology will consolidate and expand some of the university’s existing laboratories and create new areas of focus.
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eye cafe – An interactive open access area where visitors, students, faculty and staff can instantly access the latest artificial intelligence tools.
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Biometrics Discovery Lab – This lab will feature biometric and emotion-based technologies such as eye tracking, facial expression analysis, voice analysis, and galvanic skin response tools.
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flex lab – A technology-rich environment stimulates creativity and reshapes the way students view business challenges, opportunities, and solutions.
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innovative learning space – Reimagined classrooms with flexible designs, smart glass walls, and instant access to AI technology serve as catalysts for innovative learning.
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Text Analysis and Publishing Lab (TAPLab) – In this space, we will focus on sentiment analysis and thematic analysis of text-based data.
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Officials said students working at the center will gain hands-on experience using platforms such as IBM Watsonx, NeuroBlu behavioral health analytics, Bloomberg Terminal, augmented and virtual reality tools, blockchain technology, and advanced data analytics software such as Power BI and Alteryx.
Unlike some academic institutions where access to advanced analytics and AI tools is limited to graduate students and faculty, the Center for Applied Business Technology is designed to introduce these programs and software early in students’ undergraduate studies, USI said.
According to USI, the center will also serve as an opportunity for collaboration between students, faculty, and industry partners to support applied research, workforce development, and professional growth. As companies increasingly invest in AI, the center is positioned to help address talent shortages in the workforce by producing graduates with interdisciplinary business and technology expertise.
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