Smith School & Microsoft: AI-Powered Healthcare Innovation

By: James Consoli

Exposure to experiential learning opportunities, leveraging cutting-edge technology and engaging with industry leaders are major components of the student experience at the University of Maryland’s Robert H. Smith School of Business. This spring, Master of Science in Information Systems (MSIS) students got that and more through a unique partnership with Microsoft.

Working with Microsoft’s Health & Life Sciences US Majors division, Smith graduate students explored the practical applications of AI-powered tools, including Microsoft Copilot Chat, to address critical challenges within the healthcare industry.

The graduate cohort, comprised of students with backgrounds ranging from product management and healthcare data systems to cloud technologies, sought to collectively enhance Copilot Chat’s applicability in identifying pain points across key operational areas in healthcare.

Specifically, students utilized the tool’s capabilities, such as drafting content, summarizing information, and generating insights through conversational prompts, to improve provider workflows, compliance and operations.

“The students created value for Microsoft by showing how Copilot can be used in healthcare,” says MSIS Professor and Academic Director ‘Tej’ Singh Anand. “This will increase utilization of Copilot.”

Jayant Gupta, MBA ’12, Director of Cloud Solution Architecture at Microsoft and a Smith MBA Advisory Council member, served as an advisor on the project and emphasized making this partnership particularly resonant for the students.

The culmination of the students’ efforts led them to present their findings on-site at Microsoft’s Arlington, Va., office, offering unparalleled exposure to a corporate innovation environment. Gupta and other Microsoft employees provided valuable insights into real-world complexities, participated in crucial discussions and offered constructive feedback on the final presentations.

Anand believes the experience significantly deepened the students’ understanding of what it entails to work with industry executives at the highest level. It also provided a strong foundation for them to continue their work beyond the classroom.

“They were able to get hands-on experience, add concrete examples of innovation to their resumes, interact with senior leaders at Microsoft, and gain knowledge about the healthcare industry in the US,” says Anand. “The reaction from the Microsoft Partners they worked with was very positive.”