We are proud to announce the formation and launch of Columbia University’s School of Professional Studies (SPS) AI Lab, an innovative and comprehensive resource and community for students, alumni, and faculty.
AI is ubiquitous, transforming virtually every industry and function at an unprecedented speed. For professionals across the workforce, acquiring AI skills—including foundational theories and concepts, emerging technologies and architectures, real-world applications, ethics, and responsible use—is essential.
The SPS AI Lab advances and accelerates literacy and competency, preparing our community to lead in an AI-driven future. “The School of Professional Studies has long been at the forefront of the utilization and application of emerging technologies and innovation, equipping students with the skills needed to thrive across disciplines. We are proud to build on this legacy with the establishment of the SPS AI Lab,” said SPS Senior Vice Dean Steve Cohen.
To address the mounting challenges, the Lab is built on five foundational pillars:
- Thought leadership delivered through multiple channels and formats, including a speaker series featuring industry luminaries, comprehensive research reports, timely blogs and articles, and conference presentations from the SPS AI Lab community.
- Industry partnerships that provide direct, informed guidance on in-demand skills, training needs, market trends, and access. “One of the hallmarks of our program is its strong connection to the business community. The SPS AI Lab will enable us to expand and deepen these relationships through hands-on, high-impact projects and applied research focused on real-world business applications and measurable ROI—experience that is critical for preparing our students for today’s and tomorrow’s job market,” shared Shahryar Shaghaghi, program director of the M.S. in Technology Management.
- Teaching and learning resources highlighting best practices for using AI tools in the classroom, including approaches that enhance the student experience and support clear, current AI-use policies and practices. “Two hallmarks of SPS are our world-class scholar-practitioner faculty and our Academic Technology and Pedagogical Lab. Our faculty come from leading AI companies—including Google, Microsoft, Amazon, and Meta—as well as innovative start-ups, while our Academic Technology team has a proven record of deploying advanced tools and methods to enhance the student experience. The SPS AI Lab will build on these strengths, accelerating teaching and learning at scale and at speed,” said Erik Nelson, SPS Senior Associate Dean of Academic Affairs.
- Applied research focused on practical applications and job-relevant skills. Faculty, students, and alumni will have access to resources for researching and publishing on critical topics, including the impact of superintelligence on business and society, AI guardrails, and leadership in the age of AI.
- AI software, tools, and a sandbox featuring “must-know” technologies and platforms. Students, faculty, and alumni will have access to this resource for hands-on learning, projects, and research.
The M.S. in Technology Management program is the founding sponsor of the SPS AI Lab, which will expand over time to include all programs, students, faculty, and alumni. Founders include Shahryar Shaghaghi, program director of the M.S. in Technology Management and professor of practice at SPS; Katja Schroeder, senior lecturer and associate program director of the M.S. in Technology Management; and Dr. Mark Ritzmann, lecturer and executive director of SPS Analytics and Information Systems.
To learn more, inquire about partnership opportunities, or propose or sponsor a research project, please email SPS_AI_Lab [[at]] Columbia [[dot]] edu.
