Mays Business School’s Inaugural AI Dissertation Proposal Competition Recognizes Artificial Intelligence Scholars

Texas A&M University’s Mays Business School recently held the debut “Building a Better Future Through Business and AI” dissertation proposal competition, highlighting the emerging importance of artificial intelligence in doctoral education. This event commemorated the work of four doctoral students who were recognized for their research on AI and its revolutionary influence across multiple business disciplines.

The competition aimed to emphasize the significance of AI in defining the future of business while offering an opportunity for rising scholars to pitch their dissertation proposals. The finalists came from a variety of backgrounds, including marketing, supply chain management, finance, and information systems, and each brought a distinct perspective on how AI may accelerate industry breakthroughs and improve decision-making processes.

Barry Ke, Yale University, presented his dissertation proposal, titled “Analysts’ Belief Formation in Their Own Words.” This study investigates how financial analysts express their expectations and thoughts, using generative AI to assess textual content in analyst reports. Ke’s research reveals how AI can enhance the quality of financial forecasts and predict forecast errors.

Qili Wang, University of Florida, introduced his project titled “Artificial Intelligence in Digital Platforms.” Wang’s research looks into the rising role of AI in increasing user engagement on online platforms. His findings show that AI-generated insights can greatly boost the quality and number of consumer evaluations, giving useful knowledge for platform administrators.

Mengjie “Magie” Cheng, Harvard Business School, delivered her dissertation, “Balancing Engagement and Polarization: Multi-Objective Alignment of News Content Using LLMs.” Cheng’s study examines the issues that media companies confront when developing entertaining content while navigating political division. Her novel technique uses large language models to provide fixes that increase audience engagement while maintaining editorial consistency.

Finnegan “Finn” McKinley, University of Arkansas, showcased his proposal, “Human-AI Collaboration for Operations and Supply Chain Management Decision Making.” McKinley’s work addresses the behavioral interactions between artificial intelligence and people in supply chain operations, highlighting the value of successful cooperation for better decision-making. His research provides a theoretical framework for incorporating AI into supply chain management theory.

Dr. Nate Y. Sharp, dean of Mays Business School, was proud to recognize these bright doctoral students from across the country. “Many young researchers in business Ph.D. programs are working on the frontier of knowledge when it comes to applications of artificial intelligence in the business world. Their research will provide important insights into how we can harness artificial intelligence to improve communities, scale companies, and transform industries,” he said. “This competition celebrates the work of trailblazers, each of whom is embracing artificial intelligence in their respective fields of research expertise.”

The event was presented jointly by multiple departments within Mays Business School, reflecting the institution’s collaborative approach to multidisciplinary research. Deloitte and the Deloitte Foundation provided major funding for the contest, highlighting the value of academic-industry collaboration in driving innovation and research.

The “Building a Better Future Through Business and AI” dissertation proposal competition not only recognized academic excellence but also acted as an incentive for additional research and innovation in the field. As artificial intelligence advances and transforms industries, initiatives like these are crucial for fostering cooperation, furthering knowledge, and developing the next generation of leaders in business.