Center for AI in Business
The Center for AI in Business at East Carolina University’s College of Business serves as a catalyst for innovation, workforce readiness, and economic growth in eastern North Carolina. Our mission is to help organizations harness artificial intelligence and emerging technologies—such as data analytics, robotics, augmented reality, and virtual reality—to create new opportunities, solve business challenges, and prepare for the future of work.
By connecting ECU faculty expertise, student talent, and industry partnerships, the Center equips students, professionals, and organizations to thrive in an AI-driven economy. Through applied research, experiential learning, and professional education, we ensure that innovation in artificial intelligence translates into real-world transformation for our region’s businesses and communities.
Student Experiential Learning Projects
Undergraduate and graduate students collaborate with regional businesses, nonprofits, and public organizations to apply AI and data-driven technologies to real-world challenges—building practical skills while delivering meaningful value to local industries.
Professional Development Workshops
The Center offers short courses, executive education, and tailored training that build AI fluency and workforce readiness across sectors. Programs help leaders and professionals understand, adopt, and ethically apply AI to improve performance and decision-making.
Applied Research & Innovation
Faculty and students collaborate on practice-oriented research that explores the intersection of AI, business strategy, and organizational transformation. Findings are shared through publications, professional conferences, and community reports, ensuring that knowledge drives both scholarship and impact.
Partnerships with Industry and Community
We work directly with business leaders, entrepreneurs, and public sector partners to identify opportunities where AI can make the greatest regional impact.
Interdisciplinary Collaboration
Drawing on expertise from across ECU, the Center brings together scholars and practitioners in business, computer science, engineering, and social sciences to develop practical, ethical, and human-centered AI solutions.
Experiential Learning and Research Integration
Every initiative integrates student learning, applied research, and professional engagement—aligning education with regional needs and the future of the workforce.
Meet Our Team
John R. Drake
Director of the Center for AI in Business, Professor of Management Information Systems
252-737-4566 | drakejo@ecu.edu
Expertise: John Drake developed the first AI course in the College of Business entitled “Leading Organizations Through the AI Revolution”. He’s also building a AI-powered personalization engine for curriculum development and management. With over 20 publications and over 800 citations, his research and interests have shifted from e-commerce, virtual teams, and IS ethics, to applied AI usage, AI auditing, AI education, and AI governance. As the Director of the Center for AI in Business, Professor Drake coordinates students, industry leaders, and other faculty interested in AI.
What You’ll Find
At the Center, you’ll discover a collaborative environment where students, faculty, and industry professionals come together to explore how AI and data-driven innovation can solve real-world business and community challenges. The focus is on learning by doing—empowering participants to build practical skills while driving measurable impact.
How We Do it
We achieve this through intentional partnerships, interdisciplinary collaboration, and integrated experiential learning. By combining academic insight with hands-on application, the Center ensures that every project and program advances both regional development and workforce readiness.