Broad launches applied AI course to equip students for the future of business

As artificial intelligence continues to transform the business landscape, the Broad College of Business is preparing students to lead that transformation. This fall, Broad introduced BUS 491: Applied AI for Business, a new undergraduate course designed to give students hands-on experience with AI tools, workflows, and critical thinking strategies. The course is co-developed by Teagan Dixon, fixed-term faculty in the Department of Accounting and Information Systems, and John Spink, fixed-term faculty in the Department of Supply Chain Management.

Teagan Dixon, fixed-term faculty in the Department of Accounting and Information Systems, co-founded the course.

Dixon is one of the primary instructors for the course. She shared that the idea for the class came together quickly.

“Right at the end of the summer, Dr. Spink and I were approached by the associate dean for undergraduate programs,” Dixon said.  “We decided to launch it three weeks into the semester as an 11-week course. That gave us a little time to build the content, and also gave students who had dropped other classes a chance to pick up a new one. Because it’s asynchronous and online, it really helped students find a flexible option.”

The course structure reflects Broad’s commitment to experiential learning. Students engage with weekly videos, readings, and exercises, and participate in Yellowdig, a social discussion platform that encourages meaningful interaction. They also complete team-based casework through Breakout Learning, a platform that simulates real-world business challenges.

“We’re trying to do everything in this course with AI,” Dixon explained. “All content generation, all grading, everything. Some things are going to break, and we’re all going to learn from it. Some things will be great successes, and we’ll learn from those too.”

She added, “We even post some of the prompts and chats we use to generate content, so students can see how it’s done. It’s not just about getting an answer, it’s about iteration, refinement, and understanding the human element that still matters.”

Each week, students explore a different theme, from generative AI and decision support to bias, fairness, and unintended consequences. The course also introduces technical concepts like clustering, classification, and agentic AI, while remaining accessible to students with varied technical backgrounds.

“I try to stay away from overly technical content because we have freshmen through seniors in the class,” Dixon said. “But I give them sample exercises and show them how things work. For example, we had them build a decision tree using real data, and then we discussed how machine learning is primarily comprised of complex pattern recognition”

The course’s relevance is already resonating with students and with employers.

“At the end of the day, companies are requiring AI skills,” Dixon said. “KPMG, for example, now includes AI use in their annual employee evaluations. It’s not a ‘nice to have’ anymore. It’s a requirement.”

She continued, “Future managers won’t just manage people, they’ll manage agents. And those employees will also manage agents. So we’re trying to help students bridge that gap and be ready to enter the workforce as if they’re already third-year professionals.”

For Dixon, the course is more than a curriculum; it’s a mission.

“My focus every day is: how can I make our Broad students more marketable, more competitive in the workplace?” she said. “I want them to get those jobs over our competitors. I want them to walk into interviews and say, ‘Yes, I built an agent. Yes, I know how to use AI to add value.’ That’s what will set them apart.”

BUS 491 is set to return in spring 2026, with a more refined structure and updated content. As the technology continues to evolve, so will the course, ensuring that Broad students remain at the forefront of innovation.

“I truly believe AI is going to help us solve some of the world’s biggest problems,” Dixon said. “It’s not just about efficiency. It’s about unlocking human potential. And that’s what we’re preparing our students to do.”

As BUS 491 continues to evolve, it reflects Broad’s larger mission: preparing students not only to adapt to change but to lead it. By embedding AI into the undergraduate curriculum, the college is ensuring that Spartans graduate with the skills, confidence, and perspective to thrive in a rapidly shifting business environment.

With Dixon’s guidance, students are learning that AI is not just a tool, it is a catalyst for innovation, collaboration, and impact. The course stands as a testament to Broad’s commitment to experiential learning and to equipping the next generation of business leaders with the knowledge to shape the future.