Penn State Smeal Launches Comprehensive Artificial Intelligence Initiative

Is your organization truly prepared for the seismic shift AI brings to business? The answer isn't just about tools; it's about leaders who wield technology with purpose and integrity.

The artificial intelligence revolution is reshaping industries, demanding new business professionals. As AI tools become ubiquitous, the challenge for institutions like ours is to move beyond mere adoption to foster responsible AI leadership.

At Penn State Smeal College of Business, we're confronting this transformation head-on. We've launched a comprehensive, college-wide AI initiative to embed AI literacy, ethical understanding, and practical application across teaching, research, and operations.

Dean Corey Phelps emphasizes: “AI isn’t a future possibility — it’s here, now. We must prepare students not just to use AI, but to lead with it — with purpose, responsibility and integrity. Our graduates' future success depends on how well we rise to this moment.” This isn't a tech upgrade; it's a strategic imperative to equip future leaders with technical acumen and ethical foresight, grounded in the Smeal Honor Code.

Building Responsible AI Capability Across Smeal

Integrating AI into Core Business Education

Our AI Innovation in Business Education program redesigns courses. Every Smeal graduate will develop practical AI skills alongside the ethical judgment needed to apply them responsibly. Students will learn how AI impacts finance, marketing, supply chain, and more, preparing them for specific roles in an AI-driven economy.

Empowering Our Educators and Staff

Through the Smeal Academy’s GenAI Series and AI@Work programs, faculty and staff gain hands-on experience with advanced tools like ChatGPT and Microsoft Copilot. Completing AI@Work training earns dean-sponsored Copilot licenses, enabling direct AI integration into teaching, research, and administrative tasks, fostering innovation.

Fostering Innovation and Exploration

The upcoming AI Resource Hub and AI Exploration Microgrants will catalyze faculty-led projects. These initiatives provide funding, cutting-edge tools, and community support for research exploring AI’s potential to enhance learning outcomes, boost research productivity, and strengthen interdisciplinary collaborations. This propels Smeal to the forefront of AI application and discovery.

Ensuring Secure and Ethical AI Engagement

Recognizing the need for responsible experimentation, Smeal is piloting BoodleBox – an enterprise-grade platform. This secure environment provides compliant access to premium AI models like ChatGPT, Claude, Gemini, and Perplexity, upholding Penn State’s stringent standards for privacy, accessibility, and data protection. It allows safe exploration without compromising institutional integrity.

From Momentum to a College-Wide Movement

This initiative builds on a solid foundation; over three-quarters of our faculty and staff already engage with AI tools. Over the next year, Smeal plans significant expansion: piloting AI across all undergraduate and graduate programs, developing robust responsible AI policies, launching a college-wide AI literacy initiative, and broadening access to leading AI platforms. This cultivates a dynamic culture where AI elevates every aspect of our mission, guided by core values.

Shape the Future of Business, Responsibly

The landscape of business leadership is fundamentally changing. Those who embrace AI, not just as a tool but as a transformative force wielded with integrity and foresight, will define the next era of innovation. Smeal is committed to preparing leaders who not only adapt to this future but actively shape it. Are you ready to lead responsibly in an AI-driven world?