Educator Integrates Generative AI into Business Technology Curriculum, Preparing Students for AI-Powered Workplace

Integrating AI into Higher Education

In a groundbreaking move, a professor at the University of Wisconsin-Stout has designed a business technology class that incorporates generative AI tools, particularly Microsoft 365 Copilot, to prepare students for the evolving AI-driven workplace 1

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. This initiative comes as a response to the growing importance of AI in various business functions, with 78% of organizations using AI in at least one business function according to the 2025 McKinsey Global Survey on AI 1

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The Pilot Project

The professor, who serves as the program director of the Business Information Technology bachelor's degree program, launched a pilot project in spring 2025. The project was integrated into a senior capstone course, where students were tasked with using Copilot for Business throughout the semester 1

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. The goals were to:

1. Encourage students to explore AI tools freely
2. Build comfort, fluency, and critical awareness about AI use in real-world contexts
3. Develop practical use cases for AI in both academic and professional settings

Students were required to keep journals reflecting on their experiences and develop use cases for AI support in their roles as students and future professionals 1

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Student Experiences and Learnings

The project revealed several key insights:

1. Rapid Adaptation: Students quickly moved from curiosity to confidence in using AI tools 1

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2. Practical Applications: Students used Copilot for various tasks, including summarizing video meetings, drafting PowerPoint slides, and writing polished emails 1

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3. Learning Curve: Many students initially struggled with writing effective prompts but improved through experimentation 1

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4. Critical Thinking: Students learned to verify AI-generated content, recognizing the importance of fact-checking, especially when encountering inaccuracies or "hallucinations" 1

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5. Habit Formation: Some students needed reminders to use Copilot, highlighting the importance of allowing time for new technology adoption 1

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Challenges and Future Directions

While the pilot was successful, it also raised some concerns:

1. Cost and Access: The higher cost of Copilot for Business compared to traditional productivity apps may limit its use in future classes and raises ethical questions about access 1

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2. Shift in Learning Paradigm: The transition from software that enables content production to AI tools that generate work based on prompts requires a higher level of awareness about student engagement and learning 1

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The Future of AI in Education

The professor plans to expand the use of generative AI tools across courses, aiming to integrate AI as part of everyday academic work rather than treating it as a standalone topic 1

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. The ultimate goal is to help students build AI literacy and use these tools responsibly and thoughtfully, supporting their learning without replacing it 1

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This pilot project emphasizes that integrating AI into the classroom goes beyond providing access to new tools. It's about creating an environment for exploration, experimentation, reflection, and critical thinking about how AI fits into personal and professional lives 1

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