KALAMAZOO, Mich.—The debate over artificial intelligence (AI) across industries is pervasive. Businesses can already see the transformative power of AI with its ability to increase efficiencies and personalize experiences for consumers. Facing an opportunity, Western Michigan University’s Haworth College of Business now offers a course that introduces a variety of concepts and applications of AI to those interested in using it to solve business problems.
The course, titled Artificial Intelligence in Business, began in the fall 2023 semester and presents various forms of AI for study—natural language processing (NLP), machine learning, generative AI, fraud detection, human-AI symbiosis, user-generated content and more—within the context of real business challenges.
User-friendly applications like ChatGPT and others that embed AI into their programs have made the tech more accessible than ever for professionals. “Because of this, anyone who takes time to pick up a few AI apps will be empowered to compete more effectively in today’s job market,” says Dr. Kuanchin Chen, director of WMU Haworth’s Center for Business Analytics and professor of computer information systems. “A systematic way of learning from WMU Haworth faculty who have research and teaching experience in AI helps create a lasting competitive edge beyond just simple app usage.”
Chen is co-teaching the course alongside four other faculty members at the college, including:
- Dr. Bidyut Hazarika, associate professor of business information systems.
- Dr. Reza Mousavi, associate professor of business information systems.
- Dr. Utkarsh Shrivastava, assistant professor of business information systems.
- Dr. Mohammad Daneshvar Kakhki, assistant professor of business information systems.
Earlier this year, Chen and a group of engineering faculty were awarded a $500,000 National Science Foundation grant to study how AI empowers tomorrow's workforce.
Students have found that the class is advancing their education. Wiley Harris-Anderson, from Rockford, Michigan, says he was motivated to enroll knowing that it would put him at the forefront of his field.
“I wanted to understand the technology behind the applications that are changing the world around us, and Dr. Chen’s invitation to take the class seemed like a perfect fit. I also wanted to get ahead of the curve in the job market and make sure that I have at least some formal education on AI so as to not be replaced by it.”
Lessons in the course directly correspond to challenges across businesses, like hiring employees.
“An example we discuss in the human-AI symbiosis lesson is the detection of resume keyword and concept stuffing—a way to manipulate resumes by repeating certain words or concepts to fool HR software into advancing an applicant’s opportunity for interview,” says Chen. “After learning the detection technique, students will be able to apply it to similar applications, such as in advertising.”
Sudipto Debnath, from Dhaka, Bangladesh, is a student studying supply chain management and business analytics who is taking the class because of Chen’s impressive reputation. The intersection of AI and business is of primary interest to him as he looks toward his future classes and career.
“The ongoing challenges tech giants are facing in addressing the ethical dimensions of AI, especially in preventing biased outputs, is surprising,” he says. “Additionally, the exploration of Moravec’s Paradox—which highlights complexities in replicating certain sensory human skills in AI—is an intriguing aspect of the course that added depth to our understanding of AI’s capabilities and limitations.”
Higher education has a history of being a place where new concepts, ideas, theories and innovation can be explored, and adding AI into the classroom is no different.
“AI is a tool. Whether it creates benefits or damages depends on how you use it,” Chen shares. “Working with AI in a symbiotic way has the potential to shift skill sets upwards, thereby increasing the quality of one’s contribution and decreasing the chance of job displacement.”
Predicting the future of AI can feel like its own paradox. However, we can anticipate that AI will continue to transform how people collaborate; embracing that change is where opportunity lies for future professionals. WMU Haworth is proud to provide this kind of development for students.
“The variety of AI taught in this class fuels students' opportunities to think outside the box. If one has not seen the possibilities or ideas of what AI can do, just thinking about it may not materialize into a solution. We help our students advance by teaching them to think in ways that are rooted in realistic possibilities provided by AI,” Chen says.
Artificial Intelligence in Business is being offered again in spring 2024. Debnath recommends other students find out what AI is all about by taking the class themselves. “I would advise all students who are hesitating to take the course to go ahead and enroll but approach it with patience. By learning how to effectively harness AI, you will be better equipped for the future.”
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