Smith's Got Talent
On Smith's Got Talent, host Kim Rice DeGross, the Assistant Dean of OCS, sits down with students, alumni, and professors at the University of Maryland’s Robert H. Smith School of Business, to highlight successful innovative projects, real-world applications, and industry collaborations. Episodes include discussions of transformative educational projects, such as experiential learning in finance and the development of technology solutions, showcasing the school's commitment to integrating academic learning with practical, impactful outcomes. Every episode features a segment from esteemed AI expert, Professor Balaji Phadmnaban, who discusses the intersection of AI on each topic.
Latest Episode
Episode 5: Emotional AI turns a side hustle into true entrepreneurship
In this episode of Smith's Got Talent, wefeature the Dingman-Lamone Center for Entrepreneurship at the Robert H. Smith School of Business, led by Mike Hoffmeyer. We highlight Anthony Kang, a sophomore and co-founder of Quello, an emotional AI companion. Anthony shares his entrepreneurial journey from middle school side hustles to developing Quello, a product aimed at addressing mental health issues through innovative AI technology. Professor Balaji explains how AI may not have the same values as humans and therefore will need humans to serve as “pilots."
In this episode, recent Smith Master of Science in Information Systems alumni Aromal Sudheer Nair and Krishang Parakh discuss their project, STRATPATH AI, a platform that helps students prepare for job interviews using customizable case studies, supported by the Smith Office of Experiential Learning. Guided by Professor Nicole Coomber, the platform aims to streamline recruitment and training processes for companies, making hiring more efficient and accessible while enhancing student career readiness. Professor Balaji Padmanabhan also provides some thought-provoking ideas on personal bots during the job search process.
In this episode, Master's students Ahmad Mohi Ud Din and Fiaz Ahmad from the Robert H. Smith School of Business at the University of Maryland discuss their success in the Global Sustainability Supply Chain student competition, where they presented Project Maple Guard, a solution for managing excess inventory in the fresh produce industry. Supported by professors Martin Dresner and Humberto Coronado, the students highlight the importance of collaboration, leadership, and storytelling in crafting their detailed, financially sound proposals, which earned them accolades in the competition. In the AI segment, Balaji Padmanabhan shares how Smith students looked at food waste to help the Capital Area Food Bank in a competition.
In this episode, Professor Cliff Rossi and student Hrushikesh Ravindra Ghaisas from the Smith School of Business discuss their involvement in a groundbreaking experiential learning project supported by the Smith Enterprise Risk Consortium. The project focused on using AI tools to assess and rate the effectiveness of credit risk management strategies in banks and fintech companies, providing valuable insights for the industry while offering students real-world experience in risk management. Professor Balaji Padmanabhan discusses AI’s evolving role in creating reports that shape sentiment.
In this episode of Smith’s Got Talent, discover how using AI responsibly can boost business models, emphasize ethical data usage and springboard strategic innovation. MBA and M.S. in Marketing Analytics student Victor Su and marketing professor Mary Beth Furst discuss AI in business ethics and case studies, specifically the Fisher Case Competition with Bath and Body Works. You'll hear about the competition's challenges and learning opportunities, and the importance of teamwork and diverse perspectives in tackling complex business problems. In our AI segment, Professor Balaji Padmanabhan talks about the role of ethics in AI implementation.