Expanding the AI Footprint

The C. T. Bauer College of Business at the University of Houston (UH) has established the Human-Centered Artificial Intelligence Institute (HCAII), expanding its robust AI educational offerings. 

Major HCAII initiatives include the generation of seed funding for interdisciplinary research on AI and digitalization, the creation of a working paper series and annual workshops for UH research clusters and collaborations with partner companies on industry research. 

The establishment of HCAII also expands curriculum and experiential learning opportunities significantly for UH students, echoing the booming workplace demand for employees with training and knowledge about the latest AI applications. 

“Our goal with HCAII is to better equip Bauer graduates and organizations with regard to creating, applying and adapting the latest data-driven insights, while also helping to influence the inevitable evolution of ethical, equitable and innovative AI technology,” said HCAII Executive Director Meng Li, Professor and C. T. Bauer Professor of AI in the Department of Decision & Information Sciences (DISC). 

The HCAII educational program will comprise primarily non-degree certificates and executive education programs initially, building upon the momentum of Bauer’s HCAI Lab, Li said. 

“In a very short period, the lab has produced tremendous successes, such as securing support ($100,000) from Shell, and HPE Data Science Institute (for two lines of post-doctoral researchers), but also placing post-doctoral researchers in leading universities and developing new educational programs for undergraduates and MBAs,” he said. 

HCAII Co-Director Wynne Chin will be involved in research, training and teaching at the new Bauer College institute. Chin’s research explores the individual IT decision process towards adoption and acceptance, end-user satisfaction, and developing group process measures to understand the impact of electronic meeting systems.  

A wide range of AI-related educational options open at UH with the establishment of HCAII, said Norman Johnson, Bauer Professor of Business Analytics and Chairman of the DISC department. Among the new offerings: 

• The Undergraduate AI Certificate Program will upskill students in AI project implementation and evaluation, echoing the booming demand for AI in startup businesses. Part of the Bauer-Intel® collaboration on the AI for Current Workforce Program, it will be offered to undergraduate students enrolled in any business or non-business undergraduate majors at Bauer. Students will be equipped to build effective AI plans for business, and introduced to industrial-ready technology, providing additional career opportunities to students. They will also receive an Intel-issued electronic badge for finishing required courses.   
• The Bauer Mini MBA program on Analytics and AI is a week-long program with both core business courses and two days of Analytics and AI curriculum.  
• The Non-Degree-Seeking AI Certificate is aimed at students interested in learning about AI options that enhance business efficiency. The four-week online course is also part of the Bauer Intel® collaboration, providing an overview of core AI methods, as well as the use cases and business opportunities behind them. The program culminates with co-branded (Bauer and Intel) non-degree certificates.   
• Custom AI and Analytics courses will meet specific employee training needs and require corporate sponsorship. 

Establishing HCAII is also a key to achieving a strategic goal for Bauer College: Becoming a global leader in the Management of AI while preparing students for the jobs of tomorrow, said Bauer College Dean and Cullen Distinguished Chair Professor Paul A. Pavlou, a leading AI and data science scholar. 

“AI is transforming the landscape of business by enhancing productivity, automating tasks, and optimizing decision making. AI can also address major societal challenges, such as healthcare and personalized medicine,” Pavlou said. “At HCAII, we seek to develop AI-driven technologies to advance the responsible integration of data into business and society and ensure ethical considerations to harness the potential of AI for the collective good.”