1
1
FIU Business has launched "AI360°," a comprehensive effort to embed AI learning and research across all disciplines. Led by Karlene C. Cousins, chair of the Department of Business Analytics and Information Systems, the initiative seeks to prepare students and faculty for the growing impact of AI in the business world.
"We are creating a structured, collaborative framework to make this integration as effective and impactful as possible," said Cousins.
William Hardin, dean of FIU Business, tapped Cousins to lead the initiative in the summer of 2024.
"AI is the future, and we have an opportunity to infuse AI applications into our classes and into business operations," said Hardin. "It's very exhilarating, but there are challenges. That's why we are working with AI as a decision-enhancing tool and bringing industry needs into the classroom. Our industry partners are telling us what students need to know and helping us determine the best way to teach such applications."
At the core of AI360° is the AI Steering Committee, comprised of department chairs from fields such as finance, accounting, marketing, and business analytics and information systems, all working toward determining learning outcomes and guiding faculty in integrating AI into courses, curriculum and research.
"AI is the future, and we have an opportunity to infuse AI applications into our classes and into business operations. It's very exhilarating, but there are challenges. That's why we are working with AI as a decisionenhancing tool and bringing industry needs into the classroom. Our industry partners are telling us what students need to know and helping us determine the best way to teach such applications."
– William Hardin
To support faculty, FIU Business has introduced the AI Faculty Teaching Forum, aiming to foster a community where educators can share best practices and access resources. A faculty readiness survey conducted by the forum revealed that about half of the faculty have already begun incorporating AI into their courses.
Complementing these efforts is the AI Faculty Research Forum. Launching in May 2025, the research forum will focus on AI-driven academic research, supporting faculty in identifying collaborators and applying for funding to support their AI research efforts.
Also helping guide the process is the FIU Business AI Advisory Board that collaborates with industry leaders to align AI education with employer needs.
"It's really about broadening their knowledge beyond, ‘How is AI developed?' which is still important, so that you understand the foundational elements of it," said Stacy Volmar, vice president of advanced analytics at Assurant and a member of the AI Advisory Board. "It really gets into the management of AI, the responsibility around it, being able to measure the impact of AI, the cost of ownership of AI, and how to organize teams around it."
Looking ahead, AI360° will serve as a hub for AI teaching, research, innovation and industry collaboration. Other plans include an AI Research symposium on faculty research across the college and the ATOM AI 305 Conference, a hackathon-style event that will be open to students, faculty and alumni.
