This course aims to develop a critical and multidimensional understanding of artificial intelligence (AI) as a major challenge for businesses and society.
Starting from the dialogue between academia, the business world, and public institutions, the course provides students with the foundational knowledge needed to understand AI technologies and their impact on business models, organizational structures, and work dynamics. The objective is to encourage an integrated reflection on the technical, economic, organizational, and ethical aspects of AI adoption, while also fostering analytical and design skills to evaluate and shape initiatives that are aligned with strategic goals and digital transformation paths.
The course approaches AI not only as an enabling technology but also as a strategic lever for digital transformation. It offers practical insights and critical reflections on technical, organizational, business, and contextual dimensions. In this perspective, the course equips students with the tools necessary to frame and design AI initiatives in a way that is consistent with long-term business objectives and organizational evolution.

The detailed course syllabus, along with the list of reference texts and teaching materials, will be made available before the beginning of the course.

There are no prerequisites required by the degree program regulations.

Knowledge and Understanding
By the end of the course, students will be able to:
• Understand the characteristics, evolution, and current limitations of artificial intelligence (AI);
• Critically interpret narratives around AI and its economic, technological, and organizational implications;
• Identify the changes that emerging technologies introduce in business management.

Applied Knowledge and Understanding
Students will be able to:
• Analyze and define the potential of emerging technologies for businesses;
• Systematically and contextually assess the adoption of AI solutions in relation to specific organizational needs;
• Design realistic and coherent technology adoption strategies aligned with the firm’s level of maturity;
• Formulate innovative strategic decisions consistent with business and environmental conditions.

Autonomy of Judgment
Students will develop independent judgment in evaluating and interpreting the opportunities that emerging technologies offer to businesses and their potential to create value, as well as in assessing strategies for leveraging innovation and formulating critical reflections.
They will also be able to:
• Formulate analytical and synthetic reflections on key disciplinary aspects;
• Establish interdisciplinary connections;
• Distinguish between media hype and concrete applications of AI, developing an initial ability to critically reflect on the use of technology in business contexts.

Communication Skills
Students will acquire the terminology, tools, and competencies needed to communicate the theoretical and practical aspects of the course, both in written and oral form.
They will be able to:
• Understand problems and propose ideas and solutions related to business management involving emerging technologies;
• Communicate effectively with both expert and non-expert audiences, using formal and visual communication tools;
• Clearly articulate reasoning and recommendations concerning the implementation of AI systems in business contexts.

Learning Skills
Students will develop autonomous learning and self-assessment abilities that will support both their entry into the job market and the continuation of their academic studies with a good degree of independence.
Specifically, they will be able to:
• Critically update their knowledge in a fast-evolving technological environment;
• Develop a learning method based on contextual analysis, useful for addressing complex challenges related to digital innovation.

The teaching material prepared by the lecturer in addition to recommended textbooks (such as for instance slides, lecture notes, exercises, bibliography) and communications from the lecturer specific to the course can be found inside the Moodle platform › blended.uniurb.it

During the course, meetings will be organized with scholars, industry professionals, and company CEOs.

The instructor is available to meet with students by appointment, either in person or online. To schedule a meeting, students are requested to send an email to the instructor at roberta.decicco@uniurb.it.

Teaching

The course includes a variety of teaching methods:

• Lectures;
• Presentation of slides and videos;
• Guest talks by entrepreneurs and industry experts;
• In-class discussions.

Innovative teaching methods

- Use of video and multimedia content;

- Individual or group exercises (the implementation of exercises will depend on the number of students enrolled in the course);

- In-depth study activities to be carried out by students through the materials provided on the University’s Moodle platform;

- Use of interactive tools (e.g., Mentimeter, Wooclap) to foster engagement and active participation during lectures.

Attendance

Attendance is not mandatory.

Course books

The study materials will be announced before the beginning of the course, as they are currently under review by the instructor.

Assessment

The expected learning outcomes will be assessed through a written exam consisting of two parts:

- Structured section: 12 multiple-choice questions, each with 4 options. Each correct answer is worth 2 points, for a maximum of 24 points. This section aims to assess students’ knowledge of key concepts and their understanding of the main models and tools presented during the course.

- Unstructured section: 2 open-ended questions, each worth up to 4 points (maximum total: 8 points). Evaluation criteria include the accuracy and completeness of content, clarity of reasoning, and the ability to connect answers with relevant examples or case studies.

The maximum achievable score is 32 points, corresponding to 30 cum laude. The exam is considered passed with a minimum score of 18 points.

Disability and Specific Learning Disorders (SLD)

Students who have registered their disability certification or SLD certification with the Inclusion and Right to Study Office can request to use conceptual maps (for keywords) during exams.

To this end, it is necessary to send the maps, two weeks before the exam date, to the course instructor, who will verify their compliance with the university guidelines and may request modifications.

Teaching

Non-attending students are encouraged to consult the teaching materials uploaded to the Moodle platform (slides discussed in class, handouts, in-depth resources, seminars, etc.), which will support a deeper understanding of the texts listed in the “Study Materials” section.

Course books

The study materials will be indicated before the beginning of the course, as they are currently under review by the instructor.

Assessment

The same assessment methods apply to both attending and non-attending students.

Disability and Specific Learning Disorders (SLD)

Students who have registered their disability certification or SLD certification with the Inclusion and Right to Study Office can request to use conceptual maps (for keywords) during exams.

To this end, it is necessary to send the maps, two weeks before the exam date, to the course instructor, who will verify their compliance with the university guidelines and may request modifications.

The slides presented during lectures and made available online will include not only the main contents of the textbook but also additional insights.
Furthermore, several scientific articles in English will be uploaded to the Moodle platform for students interested in exploring the main topics of the course in greater depth.