McCombs + AI
AI is not our first rodeo
For more than a century, the McCombs School of Business has prepared leaders for every evolution in business and technology. Innovation is second nature to us, and business technology is at the core of the school’s DNA.
Student and teacher learning AI

Steady hands, Cutting edge

In this latest shift, our path is clear: We teach on technology’s cutting edge, and we layer the latest tools on our tried-and-true foundation of technical rigor, critical thinking, and ethical judgment. Texas McCombs will continue to graduate steady-handed leaders ready for any innovation challenge. With its industry connections, strong research foundation, and decades-long background in AI, McCombs is preparing the emerging pioneers of technology’s next wave.

“AI is reshaping every industry. Opportunity belongs to those who can build and implement these tools for tangible business outcomes, and few places are better positioned than Austin and The University of Texas to take on this opportunity.”

Dean Bradley R. Staats

Headshot photo of Dean Bradley R. Staats

At McCombs, we Harness AI to transform lives and business for the benefit of society

McCombs is shaping the future of business education in the age of AI. Throughout our undergraduate, graduate, and executive education programs, our expert faculty and instructional innovation partners design coursework and experiences to ensure our students master the practical, value-added applications of these technologies through simulations and real-world engagements. Our instructional goal is to develop students’ AI skills alongside their critical and creative thinking, so they can enter the workplace as AI amplifiers — consistently creating competitive advantages for organizations by using AI alongside their own unique expertise.

Academic Programs

AI is built into the classroom at McCombs
Every undergraduate and graduate program weaves in hands-on AI tools and projects tied to real business problems. Courses ground students in the history of machine learning, show the practical application of these technologies through real-world practice and simulations, and prepare our students to use technology to become leaders of change. To build deeper technical expertise, students may choose from a growing lineup of AI-focused courses, or go all in with a master's degree or concentration.
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Undergraduate (BBA)

Coursework across all our degree programs builds domain-specific AI skills for every career path, while technology-focused majors, including business analytics and MIS, go deeper, building foundational expertise in data science, machine learning, and emerging AI technology architecting.

MBA AI Track

Every Hildbrand MBA student gains critical AI leadership skills to drive competitive advantage. Full-Time MBA students can go deeper with the AI Concentration, a specialized track integrating AI strategy, implementation, and ethics, while students in all MBA programs can earn digital badges that validate their AI skills.

M.S. Programs

Every Texas McCombs Master of Science program, from Finance to Marketing to Accounting, is steeped in technology. That includes our accelerated master's degrees, built to get you market-ready fast:

The M.S. in Business Analytics and Artificial Intelligence gives students AI and machine learning skills to influence business decisions using predictive and prescriptive analytics.

The M.S. in Business Technology and Artificial Intelligence teaches students to build, implement, scale, and manage business technology solutions and AI-enabled systems to drive impact.

The M.S. in Technology Commercialization prepares students to turn emerging technologies like AI into commercial products and ventures, giving them the business, strategy, and go-to-market skills to bridge technical teams and the market.

Executive Education

Individuals and organizations can choose from more than a dozen certificates covering Generative AI, AI for Leaders, Prompt Engineering, Agentic AI, and more.

Research

McCombs AI research digs deep
Our faculty researchers study artificial intelligence at the source — understanding its impact, questioning its limits, and building the systems that make it work better for the millions of people who depend on it every day. Their research is grounded in rigor and driven by real-world stakes, shaping the tools and technologies at the center of how the world does business.
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Explore the Latest AI Research

Explore new AI insights and thought leadership from McCombs faculty on Big Ideas — our online research hub spotlighting the insights and innovations shaping the future of business.

AI-Powered Research Summaries

McCombs has launched an AI-backed initiative, led by Associate Dean of Research David Harrison, that uses custom programming to transform over 20 years of complex academic research into thousands of accessible one-page summaries and presentation slides. These materials drive engaging classroom discussions, directly connecting the school’s vibrant research and teaching missions.

Research Centers

Research at McCombs’ Center for Analytics and Transformative Technologies (CATT) investigates how artificial intelligence, machine learning, and emerging tech alter corporate strategy, daily operations, and high-level decision-making.

AI and the Ph.D. Experience

Discover the AI-driven research, faculty collaborations, and academic resources that fuel the Texas McCombs Ph.D. experience.

Industry Connections

Connecting with the future
The career trajectory of McCombs students begins long before they earn their degree — and increasingly, it's shaped by the tools transforming business itself. Programs, AI-integrated coursework, and frequent events get students engaged with industry experts on technology's front lines, joining a powerful alumni network of more than 100,000 business leaders, including many now shaping the future of AI.
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Partner with McCombs

McCombs teamed up with KPMG on a landmark study of 1.4 million AI interactions uncovering exactly what sets the most sophisticated AI users apart, and how they’re getting dramatically more out of the technology. The findings landed in the Harvard Business Review.

Events and Conferences

Leading the Conversation
McCombs frequently hosts events that put students face-to-face with the thought leaders and technologies shaping business's next wave — from AI innovators to industry pioneers. Check back often for news about upcoming conferences, speakers, and events to get involved in.
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IGNITION, Fueling the AI-Powered Future of Modern Marketing: Texas McCombs Marketing Conference, Oct. 29-30, 2026

A two-day conference centered on how artificial intelligence is transforming the marketing profession — not just as a set of new tools, but as a force reshaping how campaigns are built, how teams are structured, and what marketing careers look like going forward.

Global AI Analytics Summit, Nov. 12-13, 2026

Each year, McCombs' Center for Analytics and Transformative Technologies (CATT) brings together academic thinkers, enterprise leaders, and policy advocates to explore where AI is headed next.

Students Leading AI

The student-founded McCombs TEMBA AI Club has grown to more than 150 members across the Evening, Full-Time, and Executive MBA programs, with chapters in Dallas and Houston. Through student projects, expert speakers, and collaboration with faculty and staff, the club is building AI knowledge and practical skills across the MBA community.

McCombs + AI News

Shaping Early-Career Success in the Age of AI

A UT Austin and KPMG study finds that uniquely human skills create value only when they are applied to direct and improve AI.

Charting McCombs’ AI Future

As the world reckons with AI, instructors are finding innovative ways to incorporate it into their teaching.

What I’m Reading: 'AI for Good’

The book "AI for Good" suggests that learning by doing may be a better strategy than a grand AI plan.
Want to know more?
AI is moving quickly and so is McCombs. Check back often for updates, new programs, and emerging research that starts here and changes the world.