WSB Puts Artificial Intelligence at the Forefront of Student Education
During the 2023-24 academic year, the Wisconsin School of Business hosted a variety of applied learning events focused on the rapidly evolving topics of generative AI and large language model applications like ChatGPT. These events not only offered a foundational introduction to these models and their applications, but examined the challenges, impacts, and opportunities of AI in the workplace.
“Generative AI is transforming all business functions, promising significant leaps in human productivity and creativity,” says WSB’s Neeraj Arora, the Arthur C. Nielsen, Jr. Chair in Marketing Research and Education and a professor of marketing. “At WSB, we’re at the forefront of this revolution, integrating generative AI into cutting-edge research and classroom experiences for students.”
At one event, students had the opportunity to engage in panel discussions with industry representatives from companies like Google and Mailchimp. In addition, WSB has also launched an online hub to highlight the growing body of AI research at the school, including a state-of-the-art marketing lab that aims to make AI and analytics tools accessible for businesses of all sizes.
Introducing WSB’s Fully Online Master’s Program in Business Analytics
With the new Master of Science-Business: Data, Insights, and Analytics, students can now earn an in-demand, advanced graduate degree without leaving their homes or pausing their careers.
Delivered 100% online, the two-year program prioritizes flexibility while providing a comprehensive analytics curriculum taught by top-ranked faculty. By mastering topics such as data visualization, cloud technologies, machine learning, and more, students learn to harness the power of data and drive expert decision-making for their organizations.
The program builds on the success of the in-person Master of Science-Business: Analytics program that launched in 2019. “We’ve honed the curriculum, we’ve honed the projects and experiences, and we took those lessons learned and applied them to the online program,” says program director Cody Baldwin. “We know how to do analytics. We know how to build analytics talent.”
Badgers Support WSB Students on Day of Giving
On April 16–17, alumni, parents, and friends came together to support the Wisconsin School of Business for UW–Madison’s annual day of giving: Day of the Badger.
Reimagined Undergraduate Curriculum Prepares Students for Dynamic Business Landscape
Reinforcing the school’s commitment to excellence and ongoing investment in its highly ranked undergraduate program, the Wisconsin School of Business has redesigned and modernized its undergraduate curriculum to prepare students for academic and industry success.
The bold new curriculum will add four new courses that will gradually roll out starting in Fall 2024. The new courses—Sustainable Capitalism, Human Centered Design and Business, Cloud Based Analytics, and Integrated Strategic Leadership—will give students the technological, ethical, and innovative skills to lead in an increasingly complex business landscape.
The multi-year redesign builds on previous initiatives, like Career Forward, that help undergraduate students design their own pathways and learn key skills through certificates and Business Badger Badges.
WSB Pilots Lifelong Learning Opportunities
The Wisconsin School of Business is conducting a series of pilot programs to learn more about lifelong learning needs among alumni. These opportunities create spaces for lasting curiosity and creativity, provide resources for career advancement, and foster new communities of learning and growth for alumni.
In February 2024, the first pilot was launched with a focus on business analytics. Participants learned about principles of data storytelling through a series of short videos, a live Zoom discussion, and a Q&A session. “Lifelong learning is an opportunity for alumni to gain new connections and knowledge while WSB levels up its reputation. We do this by delivering trustworthy content, presenting trends and thought leadership, and fostering a community of lifelong learners,” says Sandra Bradley (MS ’90), director of the lifelong learning initiative at WSB.
“We are really excited about what we’re seeing through testing and learning with alumni. These insights allow us to identify market needs and continuously improve.”
