DMSB AI Strategic Hub

With the arrival of AI, our research topics will change significantly, and different fields of inquiry must account for the role and influence of intelligent technologies. AI will also transform how we conduct research, including meta-analyses, data collection, and analysis. Our faculty must be prepared for this shift. We therefore commit to:

• Stimulating AI research in the context of relevant business problems by providing up to $5,000 in seed funding per proposal. This funding is intended to initiate research where AI is a variable, outcome, or process within the studied business problems and to encourage grant proposals focusing on AI in business. Recipients are required to submit a brief report one year after receiving the funding. Before requesting additional seed funding, outcomes such as articles, grant proposals, and conference presentations must be reported.
• Keep pace with rapid AI development via $1,000 micro-grants, made available to faculty for developing or deploying new AI approaches in research or teaching. Larger scale use of cloud computing and recruitment of research and teaching assistants trained in AI will enable faster experimentation and learning for faculty and students in research and teaching.

Fall 2024 microgrants for AI research

With focused funding for faculty innovations, these projects explore how AI transforms advertising analysis, enhances freelancer capabilities, and navigates the psychological barriers to autonomous technology adoption. Each initiative demonstrates our commitment to developing responsible, human-centered AI applications with meaningful real-world impact.

Personalized AI Systems for Freelancers
Guohou Shan & Chris Riedl
Can AI systems tailored to your unique skills make you a better freelancer? This project tests whether personalized AI creates stronger trust and better results in the gig economy. As ChatGPT and similar tools transform freelance work, this research explores the human-AI partnership that could define the future of work for over 1.5 billion freelancers worldwide.

AI in Caregiving vs. Personal Use
Mary Steffel
Why are we comfortable with self-driving features when alone but hesitant when driving our kids? This eye-opening research reveals how caregiving responsibilities change our willingness to trust autonomous technology. The findings will help car manufacturers and policymakers design AI systems that respect our technical needs and our deepest human values and protective instincts.

Ad-LLaMa
Yakov Bart
A smart AI tool that automatically decodes video ads. Ad-LLaMa will analyze what makes advertisements tick across cultures and industries, helping marketers create more effective campaigns and allowing researchers to understand which visual cues and messages truly resonate with audiences. Perfect for businesses, nonprofits, and anyone wanting to craft more impactful communication.

AI in Research Day

In addition to supporting individual research analysis, the DASH team and the D'Amore-McKim Dean's Office have also been exploring ways to infuse AI into our faculty DNA. For instance, in October 2024, the college hosted an AI in Research Day when several faculty members presented their in-progress and recently published research with an AI focus. Some faculty research projects highlighted include:

AI in the Classroom: From intimidation to innovation
Comic books and generative AI are becoming unexpected allies in corporate innovation education. Through an experimental teaching method, Loredana Padurean transforms student intimidation into genuine curiosity, generating academic publications and a forthcoming book. Her creative approach demystifies complex technological concepts, showing how AI can revolutionize learning experiences.

Diving into Consumer Behavior Insights
The world of online product reviews is undergoing a profound transformation. Yakov Bart's groundbreaking research reveals critical insights, demonstrating how AI-generated content can decrease perceived helpfulness, especially when created by non-experts. These nuanced findings open crucial questions about consumer trust, platform design, and the evolving digital interaction landscape.

Intelligent Tutoring Reimagined
Custom-designed chatbots are changing the face of academic learning. Mauricio Codesso develops sophisticated, course-specific learning companions in accounting and auditing classes that guide students through complex problems without giving away answers. His approach promotes deep understanding and active problem-solving, reimagining how technology supports educational growth.

Exploring AI's Impact on Skill Development
An innovative research project on an online chess platform reveals the nuanced ways AI feedback systems influence learning and performance. Chris Riedl highlights a critical insight: AI-powered feedback can deepen skill gaps, with higher-skilled users benefiting more from critical analysis. His research raises important questions about how technological interventions shape long-term learning strategies.

Uncovering AI's Psychological Dimensions
The human side of artificial intelligence takes center stage in cutting-edge research. Shane Schweitzer examines AI's impact in traditionally human domains like art creation and recruitment, uncovering profound insights into social dynamics and technological perception. The work delves into the more profound psychological implications of AI integration.

Reimagining Business Operations through AI
A comprehensive exploration is uncovering AI's transformative potential across business landscapes. Drawing from her forecasting and operations research background, Nada Sanders investigates how artificial intelligence can revolutionize enterprise agility, risk management, and strategic planning. Her work, including in-depth CEO interviews and cross-disciplinary collaboration, provides a sweeping view of how businesses can leverage AI to create more adaptive, intelligent operational frameworks.