The Penn State Smeal College of Business announced a college-wide Artificial Intelligence (AI) initiative where the college will integrate AI in its teaching, research, and operations in order to make sure students, faculty, and staff are ready to lead an AI-driven economy.  

“AI isn’t a future possibility — it’s here, now,” said Smeal College dean Corey Phelps in a press release. As one of the nation’s leading business schools, Smeal wants its students to use AI to lead with purpose, responsibility, and integrity.

Not only is this initiative a technological upgrade for the college, but a strategic response to the reshaping of the business world and higher education. The rise has increased employers’ demand for AI literacy for students entering the job market. Smeal’s integration of AI will incorporate fluency, ethical awareness, and critical thinking into the foundations of its programs.

The initiative will strengthen the college’s capabilities across teaching, research, and operations by bringing together interconnected programs such as curriculum innovation, faculty and staff development, research, experimentation, and secure and compliant access.

Over the next year, the college will pilot AI integration across undergraduate and graduate programs, establish comprehensive policies and guidelines for responsible AI use, launch a college-wide AI literacy and engagement initiative, and expand faculty and staff access to leading AI platforms and tools.

“AI will reshape business, and our graduates must be ready to help lead that transformation responsibly,” Phelps said. “At Smeal, we’re not just preparing students to adapt to the future – we’re empowering them to help shape it.”