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AI Forward Initiative

Artificial intelligence is reshaping how organizations operate, compete and grow. Neeley AI Forward is a schoolwide initiative that advances thoughtful AI integration across the Neeley experience to prepare business leaders for an AI-driven world.

Main Content

The initiative emphasizes applied AI literacy, equipping business leaders to understand, evaluate and deploy AI strategically within organizational contexts.

Through coordinated efforts across curriculum, faculty, applied learning, operations and industry engagement, Neeley AI Forward provides an end-to-end framework that supports meaningful student learning and allows AI understanding and application to evolve alongside the technology itself.

AI Integration

Neeley AI Forward supports and expands opportunities for students to engage with AI as part of their business education. Rather than prescribing a single pathway, the initiative supports a flexible set of resources, programming and learning opportunities across courses, projects and co-curricular activities.

Where Leadership Meets AI

AI is approached as a co-pilot that complements the business leadership skills Neeley is known for developing, including communication, critical thinking, ethical reasoning and teamwork. Human judgment remains central, with technology used to enhance insight, creativity and execution.

Our Competitive Advantage

Employers see Neeley graduates as students who can communicate clearly, think critically, work effectively in teams and apply emerging technology with sound judgment. By combining Neeley’s holistic approach to leadership development with exposure to AI-enabled tools and ways of working, students have the opportunity to graduate prepared to contribute quickly and adapt as business continues to evolve.

Neeley students, faculty and alumni at Convergence AI Dallas conference in front of TCU's exhibit booth

Our Impact

AI integration is an established part of the Neeley experience. The school has introduced AI-centric courses such as Marketing Automation and Technology Entrepreneurship, embedded AI concepts and applications throughout the core curriculum and expanded AI use in capstone and applied projects.

Faculty advance AI scholarship through research published in leading academic journals and thought leadership referenced in outlets such as Forbes, The Wall Street Journal and the Los Angeles Times. Faculty expertise also informs executive education and applied learning experiences that connect students with how organizations are using AI in practice.

Neeley AI Forward strengthens this foundation by providing shared direction and sustained support across key Neeley stakeholders as AI continues to evolve across business education.

Students listening to presentation on how to use AI responsibly as a business advantage

How Neeley AI Forward Operates

Neeley AI Forward is organized through five connected pillars that support thoughtful AI integration across the school.
  • Student: Supports opportunities for student learning and engagement with AI.
  • Faculty: Provides resources and community for teaching innovation around AI.
  • Research: Advances AI-enabled scholarship and research support.
  • Operations & Infrastructure: Strengthens platforms, policies and systems that enable responsible AI use.
  • External: Connects Neeley with industry partners, events and real-world applications.

Connect with an Initiative Leader

Neeley AI Forward is led by a cross-disciplinary leadership team and partner group with decades of experience spanning technology, AI, business, entrepreneurship and education.

Zain Ali
Associate Professor of Professional Practice
817-257-7186
z.ali@tcu.edu
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Eric Arseneau
Associate Professor of Professional Practice; Assistant Chair of Entrepreneurship and Innovation; Associate Director, Neeley AI Forward
817-257-7534
eric.arseneau@tcu.edu
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Elijah Clark
Instructor of Marketing; Director, Business Innovation Academy; Assistant Director, Neeley AI Forward
817-257-5485
elijah.clark@tcu.edu
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Will Drover
Professor; Department Chair; Director of Neeley AI Forward; Dean's Advisor on AI & Digital Innovation
817-257-6543
w.drover@tcu.edu
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Beata Jones
Professor of Professional Practice, BIS
817-257-6948
b.jones@tcu.edu
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