Leaders from Amazon Research Initiatives and AWS visited UMD’s Smith School on Nov. 10, 2025, to explore research collaborations. Faculty shared innovative projects in AI, logistics, sustainability, and digital marketing, strengthening Smith’s partnership with Amazon and highlighting opportunities for future funding.

A student-led team at the University of Maryland’s Robert H. Smith School of Business created STRATPATH AI, an experiential learning platform that uses artificial intelligence to simulate interviews, automate case grading and provide real-time feedback to better prepare students for careers.

The Robert H. Smith School of Business hosted AI Lightning Talks on Oct. 23, 2025, featuring 15 faculty and PhD presenters sharing fast-paced insights into recent AI research topics, from healthcare and entrepreneurship to generative AI and visual design.

Professors Lauren Rhue and Siva Viswanathan at the Smith School study AI’s societal impacts. Rhue reveals racial bias in facial recognition, while Viswanathan develops deepfake-based methods to detect and mitigate bias in decision-making and healthcare.

The Smith School hosted Nigeria’s acting ambassador, Samson Itegboje, to strengthen partnerships benefiting students. Leaders discussed collaboration in AI, healthcare, and business. Nigerian students’ contributions were celebrated, and the visit highlighted opportunities for cultural exchange, research, internships, and global cooperation between institutions.

Aiden Polinsky ’27, a Smith School accounting and finance major, co-founded CampusAI and leads at Connyct, leveraging Smith’s entrepreneurial resources, faculty mentorship, and peer collaboration to build impactful, student-driven platforms before graduation.

More than 37,000 learners worldwide have joined the Smith School’s free AI and Career Empowerment course—designed for transitioning federal workers but open to all—building AI literacy and career skills through expert-led, self-paced modules.

The Smith School’s new AI certificate program has drawn over 20,000 global enrollees since May. Lt. Gov. Aruna Miller visited July 1 to highlight its role in Maryland’s AI-driven workforce development.

Smith’s free, online certificate in Artificial Intelligence and Career Empowerment has attracted over 17,000 registrants. Created for federal workers but open to all, the program features 10 self-paced modules taught by leading faculty on AI, strategy, ethics and careers.

Smith School and Merrill College faculty joined journalists to explore innovative business models, AI tools and cross-disciplinary solutions to help local news organizations adapt to declining revenue, shrinking readership and the disruptive impact of digital platforms.