Why Wharton is Going All-In on Understanding and Advancing an AI-Enabled World

Yesterday, the Wharton School announced a major investment to drastically scale our research and teaching capabilities in the areas of artificial intelligence and data science.

It’s no secret that the world sits at a pivotal crossroads where generative AI is poised to fundamentally transform every sector of our society. Globally, companies are grappling with how to swiftly leverage its seemingly limitless potential, while academia is fervently exploring its applications, impacts, and risks.

Amid this frenzy, let me tell you why I’m incredibly excited to lead 美国宾夕法尼亚大学 - 沃顿商学院 at this very moment—and why the world should take notice when we say we’re going all-in on the most transformative technology of our time.

In case you haven’t noticed, Wharton never does anything halfway. We’ve proven this time and again throughout our history by being the first mover in addressing the intersection of business and health care, engineering, public policy, and the global economy, to name just a few.

We are once again meeting the moment by answering society’s call for reliable, evidence-based insights about the practical and responsible use of AI. And I argue no school is better positioned to examine the multi-faceted dimensions of this evolving phenomenon than Wharton.

Why? Because the scope of our expertise and ability to break down the difficult and make it accessible to the world is unmatched.

Our faculty are already exploring AI’s impact on subjects like marketing, finance, investing, entrepreneurship, health care, workforce productivity, and creativity while also considering its ethical and accountability impacts. We are equally focused on fostering collaboration between industry and academia to integrate a range of viewpoints and ensure the creation of value-added business learning and solutions.

The new Wharton AI & Analytics Initiative will significantly broaden the breadth and impact of our AI aspirations. We’re making bold investments in innovative research and learning opportunities to effectively navigate the avalanche of interrelated issues AI has broached.

In support of this initiative, we’ve established two new funds to help our faculty pursue AI-focused research and reimagine how they incorporate AI into their classrooms and course materials. We’re providing every MBA student with the most powerful version of ChatGPT so they can prepare themselves to make faster, more informed decisions and move organizations forward.

And we’re committed to extending our AI insights far beyond our campuses. One initiative I am incredibly excited to advance is a new open-source platform focused on the swift and iterative development of GenAI prototypes aimed at improving how society works and learns. These tailored AI educational experiences will empower people to test and learn, shaping the overall direction of generative AI while also mitigating its risks and dangers.

Wharton is the best business school in the world for a reason. We consistently aim for the extraordinary and push the boundaries of knowledge creation. I am confident that this initiative will be the next way we move organizations and society forward as we once again meet the moment.

Erika James is Dean, Reliance Professor of Management and Private Enterprise, and Professor of Management at the Wharton School of the University of Pennsylvania.