As digital technologies continue to reshape industries and influence individual behaviors, understanding the interaction between technology and human behavior is becoming essential. This semester, the D'Amore-McKim School of Business is piloting a new course that explores this very topic: The Behavioral Aspects of Digital Transformation (MGMT 4983).
Co-led by Barbara Larson and Bob Steere, the course examines the intricate connection between cutting-edge technologies, such as artificial intelligence (AI), automation, and the behaviors of both individuals and organizations.
“Our guiding mantra for the course has been, ‘How technology influences behavior, and how behavior influences technology,'” says Larson. “This exploration is not only theoretical but deeply practical, focusing on how students can critically and effectively engage with tools like generative AI in today's AI-infused world.”
I think a lot of professors who are resisting AI say, ‘Oh, you shouldn't use it,' but they should guide us in their course on how to use it best.”
Daryush Mehta, fourth-year student enrolled in MGMT 4983
A Classroom for the Future
During a class exercise, student teams were tasked with reading five research studies on how personality traits influence technology adoption. Their challenge? Summarize the findings in 150 words and critique the research–using AI however they saw fit.
“The results were fascinating,” notes Larson. “Some teams opted to use AI aggressively, while others chose minimal AI assistance. The exercise didn't just help students understand personality traits and technology adoption; it also opened up discussions about the pros and cons of using AI in academic work.”
“I think a lot of professors who are resisting AI say, ‘Oh, you shouldn't use it,' but they should guide us in their course on how to use it best,” says Daryush Mehta, a fourth-year D'Amore-McKim student enrolled in the course. “In this class, I'm learning how to use AI properly rather than avoiding it. When you just ask AI to summarize five articles, it gives a very general overview, so you need to dig deeper.”
For Daryush, this course stands out because of its relevance to today's fast-paced digital world. “Digital transformation is something for our generation. This is the biggest digital transformation we might experience with the shift to AI. Things are becoming easier—the way we browse, the way we work, and the way we adapt.” He emphasizes how the course has broadened his perspective: “There's a synergy between concepts like behavioral decision-making, bias, and motivation to adopt technology, and the professors show us how it's all connected.”
Third-year D'Amore-McKim student Emily Liu was drawn to the course because of its focus on AI and its potential applications in her career. “I originally took this course because I wanted to learn more about AI, especially in relation to marketing. Technology is so relevant right now, and this class is helping me understand AI on a deeper level,” she says.
Liu says the course has been reshaping her thinking: “I think right now learning about AI is not just about the technology itself, but about the people—how we behave with it and what drives us to use it the way we do. This course gets to the core of those behavioral factors.” She also likes how the professors keep students engaged through AI-related activities.: “We do exercises where AI generates responses, and we analyze those in small groups. That's been really helpful in understanding how AI works.”
The Importance of AI Literacy
Larson and Steere regularly invite guest speakers to share their thoughts and expertise in class. One of them was D'Amore-McKim's Dunton Family Dean and author of The AI-Savvy Leader David De Cremer, who discussed a case study he wrote and emphasized the importance of developing leaders who are “AI-savvy” and can empower those working with AI. He stressed the need for students to access relevant knowledge using tools like ChatGPT, especially because business leaders often lack the correct knowledge about AI.
“You need to be able to interpret where AI is relevant,” he said. “Humans are not one-dimensional, and to serve human intelligence, AI requires careful integration into our strategies.”
This approach to AI literacy emphasizes collaboration, combines strategic thinking with practical application, and equips students to be future-ready. Steere believes that while learning the principles of good writing without AI assistance is important, students who fail to engage with AI critically may be disadvantaged in the workforce.
“Tomorrow's business leaders won't just need to develop their AIL literacy to understand AI – they'll need to know how to collaborate with it effectively,” explains Steere.
For Daryush, this approach gives D'Amore-McKim students an edge. “(This course) will give us an advantage over students at other schools who may not be learning these concepts of change and digital transformation so early.”
As the pilot semester wraps up, students and professors alike are excited about how the course will evolve. “This is one of the most relevant courses I've taken so far,” says Liu. “It's not just about learning theory; rather, it's about understanding how to apply it in real-world situations.”
This new course is designed to become a vital part of D'Amore-McKim's curriculum, helping prepare students to become future leaders who can navigate both technological and human challenges in an increasingly technology-enabled world. It will be offered again in Spring 2025.