Dr. Tahani Abdallah, lecturer and director of BIZ 201: Business Cases and Communications, is one of nine AI Fellows in the University of Dayton School of Business Administration, leading efforts to integrate artificial intelligence (AI) into the classroom. Her goal is to help first-year students become confident, self-sufficient learners who understand both the power and responsibility of using AI in business.
BIZ 201 introduces students to real-world case studies across key business disciplines, while strengthening essential communication skills, including persuasive presentations, professional writing, and effective meeting leadership.
“I think it made all the sense in the world to introduce AI in a way that is going to steer our first-year students in the right direction, whether it’s for using AI to help them through their educational journey or allowing them to recognize and ensure they are using AI responsibly,” Abdallah said.
When AI was first introduced, many students were hesitant. “In their minds, AI is supposed to think for them, but that’s not the case, and that is not what we are teaching them. We are teaching them that AI can help them think better.”
Ella O’Brien, a sophomore majoring in management with a minor in political science, had just that experience. “I was always under the assumption that AI was just a convenient way to get the right answers to questions quickly without having to do any of the work. However, throughout the course of BIZ 201, I have come to realize how inaccurate my initial assumption was about the benefits of AI in achieving academic success.”
How AI Is Used in BIZ 201
Students explore a range of tools, including FlyerGPT (UD’s AI platform), Google Gemini, Google Notebook LM, and Cengage MindTap Bongo for presentation feedback.
“Having our students use one particular tool is not the goal. I want them to recognize that AI tools can be utilized in numerous ways and for various purposes. AI will continue to evolve. We're nowhere near done growing when it comes to AI and the possibilities,” Abdallah said.
AI-Powered Assignments
More than 400 first-year students completed a series of AI-based projects designed to build real-world business and learning skills:
- Course Support Agent: Using FlyerGPT, students built a digital assistant that answers questions based on uploaded course materials, promoting independence and problem-solving skills.
- Exam Simulation Agent: Students created an AI tool that generated practice exam questions to strengthen understanding and improve study habits.
- Team Project: Students explored complex business concepts through AI research, then taught those concepts to their classmates. “They taught and presented it in such a way that I was really, genuinely impressed,” Abdallah said. “They were not standing up there with notes. They were not reading from the slide. They understood the concept, and to me, that is amazing. I think that's the magic of AI.”
Abdallah continuously refines her courses, incorporating new tools and teaching methods that keep students engaged and prepared for the future.
What Students are Saying
O’Brien said that the most profound benefit of using AI is how it prepares her for her course exams. In BIZ 201, she learned how to use Notebook LM to aid her in studying for her college courses. By uploading her notes, she can now generate flashcards, practice exams, problem sets, and personalized explanations, making learning more efficient and engaging. This tailored approach has strengthened her academic performance, deepened her understanding of course content, and built her confidence as she prepares for future internships and career opportunities.
“AI has completely changed the way I study for exams and assignments. With this new approach to studying, I am actually learning the material I need for the test and applying it, rather than just memorizing everything and hoping I remember it the next day. This change has had a profound impact on my exam grades,” said O’Brien.
Faculty Advice
“Every time you use AI, ask yourself: Will this make me smarter or stop my growth? If it helps you think deeper—go for it. If not, find a better way to ask, explore, and learn,” Abdallah said.
For Abdallah, introducing AI early on isn’t just about technology. It’s about developing future business leaders who use AI to think critically, communicate clearly, and grow with curiosity and integrity.
What You’ll Learn in BIZ 201
- AI literacy and prompting: Learn to ask smarter questions and use tools like FlyerGPT and Gemini effectively.
- Analytical reasoning and strategic application: Critically assess AI insights and translate them into effective business solutions
- Self-sufficiency: Build academic confidence and independence.
- Communication skills: Present complex ideas with clarity and confidence.
- Study strategy and self-assessment: Strengthen learning habits and awareness.
- Adaptability: Apply AI across multiple business disciplines and tools.
Learn more about the University of Dayton’s School of Business Administration.
AI in the Business Classroom: About the AI Fellows Initiative
This article is part of the AI in the Business Classroom blog series, highlighting how the University of Dayton’s business faculty is shaping the future of business education through artificial intelligence.
The AI Fellows Initiative at the University of Dayton’s School of Business Administration equips students with hands-on AI experience and the ethical mindset needed to lead in a rapidly evolving business world.