UNC Kenan-Flagler
Executive Summary
UNC Kenan-Flagler launched BlueChipAI (September 2025), a custom generative AI platform using Microsoft Azure and Cloudforce's nebulaONE. All five MBA programs received STEM designation in February 2021. The school operates the Rethinc. AI Management Lab (2022, $150,000 funding from Advance Auto Parts) and requires first-year data and AI coursework for all MBA students. The Business Analytics and Management Science concentration offers STEM-designated training in ML, statistical modeling, and data visualization.
1. AI Integration into MBA Curriculum
STEM Designation
All MBA programs STEM-designated (February 2021): Full-Time MBA, Online MBA@UNC, Evening Executive MBA, Weekend Executive MBA, Charlotte Executive MBA.
Core Curriculum
- Mandatory Data and AI Course Sequence — First-year requirement for all Full-Time MBA students.
- Statistical Decision Making — Core course covering statistical techniques for managerial decisions.
Business Analytics and Management Science Concentration
STEM-designated concentration (launched January 2020) focusing on statistical modeling, data management, visualization, and machine learning. Dedicated career coach for technology/data roles.
AI Electives
- Data Science and Artificial Intelligence in Business — Students code alongside AI teaching assistant with live industry data. Named "Favorite Course of MBAs" by Poets & Quants. Daniel Ringel.
- Analytics and Machine Learning for Managerial Decisions — ML techniques for business decision-making.
- People Analytics — Data-driven HR and workforce analysis.
- Marketing Research: Machine Learning for Consumer Insights (MBA 765/KFM 741) — ML for consumer behavior analysis.
- Managerial Decision Making — Data-driven decision frameworks.
Technology Innovation and Product Management Concentration
Includes Marketing Strategy in Technology-Intensive Environments, Product Management, and Product Marketing.
2. Career Placement
- Tech sector employment: 280+ employers recruit annually, 100+ visit campus
- Top consulting firms: Accenture, Bain, Deloitte, EY-Parthenon, McKinsey, L.E.K., Kearney (all with AI/analytics practices)
- Top tech companies: Dell, GE Healthcare, Intel, Honeywell, T-Mobile
- Career support includes dedicated coaches for tech/data roles, West Coast tech company treks via Business Technology Club, and Analytics Club recruiting programs.
3. Centers and Labs
| Center/Lab | Year | Focus | URL |
|---|---|---|---|
| BlueChipAI Platform | 2025 | Custom generative AI platform using Microsoft Azure and Cloudforce nebulaONE; serves as pilot for campus-wide rollout | https://www.kenan-flagler.unc.edu/news/bluechipai-launched-to-drive-ai-access-at-unc-kenan-flagler/ |
| Rethinc. AI Management Lab | 2022 | AI's transformative impact on business; $150,000 gift from Advance Auto Parts; hosts AI Management Lab Datathon | https://www.kenan-flagler.unc.edu/news/taking-a-deep-dive-into-ai/ |
4. Key Faculty in AI/ML
| Faculty | Primary Focus | Notable |
|---|---|---|
| Daniel Ringel (Assistant Professor of Marketing) | Marketing and AI intersection; ML-driven marketing frameworks | Publications in Marketing Science and Journal of Marketing Research; Weatherspoon Award for Teaching Excellence; MBA All-Star instructor; Interactive AI agents at ringel.AI |
| Mark McNeilly (Professor of the Practice) | Generative AI impact on business/society | Chair of UNC Provost's AI Committee; leads campus-wide AI policy development |
| Saravanan Kesavan (Professor, Operations) | AI and operations management; retail AI integration | Director of Rethinc. AI Management Lab; Assistant Dean of Full-Time MBA; 20+ years implementing AI/decision-support tools |
| Manoj Chari (Clinical Associate Professor) | Data science, business analytics, operations research | Teaches business analytics (undergraduate and graduate) |
| Eric Ghysels (Professor, Finance) | Time series econometrics, machine learning, FinTech | MIDAS research expert |
| Yuqian Xu (Assistant Professor) | Operations in fintech/digital platforms; ML applications | Applied probability and stochastic models |
Research Distinction: Daniel Ringel's work bridges marketing theory and contemporary ML/AI models, with industry collaborations and publications in top-tier journals. Mark McNeilly provides university-wide AI leadership as chair of the Provost's AI Committee. The lab led by Kesavan focuses on retail operations AI with direct corporate funding and real-world applications.
5. Partnerships
| Partner | Type | Details |
|---|---|---|
| Microsoft | Technology Platform | Core technology partner for BlueChipAI; Azure OpenAI Services |
| Cloudforce | Technology Platform | Provider of nebulaONE platform powering BlueChipAI |
| Advance Auto Parts | Corporate Research | $150,000 founding partner for Rethinc. AI Management Lab (3-year); retail operations and ML forecasting |
| UNC ITS | Implementation | Campus IT partner for AI platform deployment |
6. AI Programs/Competitions/Clubs
Student Organizations
- Analytics Club: Hands-on analytics opportunities, recruiting support, mentorship programs; led by second-year students
- Business Technology Club (BTC): West Coast tech company treks, case competitions, industry panels, recruiting preparation
- AI@UNC: University-wide club; weekly meetings on algorithms/datasets, research team connections, ML paper reading groups
Competitions and Events
- AI Management Lab Datathon: Sponsored by Rethinc. AI Management Lab; focuses on AI and organizational strategy
- Carolina Data Challenge: CS-led weekend hackathon (700+ students, Fall 2025); open to all UNC students including business
Experiential Learning
- STAR (Student Teams Achieving Results): 20-year program history (since 2005); 150+ students annually work on real corporate consulting projects with faculty advisors; domestic and international projects
7. Competitive Context
Rankings
- Full-Time MBA: #28 nationally (U.S. News 2025), #25 in U.S. (Bloomberg Businessweek 2024-25)
- Online MBA: #2 nationally (U.S. News 2025)
- Accounting specialty: #12 (U.S. News 2025)
Key Strengths
- Custom AI Platform: Among first business schools with dedicated generative AI platform (BlueChipAI, September 2025)
- Complete STEM Coverage: All five MBA programs STEM-designated (obtained 2021)
- Mandatory AI Curriculum: Required first-year data and AI coursework for all MBAs
- Funded Research Lab: $150,000 corporate-backed AI Management Lab with retail operations focus
- University AI Leadership: Professor McNeilly chairs UNC Provost's AI Committee
- Award-Winning Teaching: Daniel Ringel's AI courses recognized by Poets & Quants; innovative features like AI teaching assistants
- Interdisciplinary Approach: Cross-listed CS/Business courses (BUSI/COMP 488)
- Established Experiential Learning: 20-year STAR program with 150+ annual participants
Areas for Development
- No dedicated MS in Analytics or AI degree (AI integrated into existing MBA programs)
- No specific AI/ML certificate programs (some peer schools offer stackable certificates)
- Carolina Data Challenge is CS-led rather than business-school exclusive
8. Sources
- UNC Kenan-Flagler Full-Time MBA Program
- BlueChipAI Launched to Drive AI Access at UNC Kenan-Flagler
- Rethinc. AI Management Lab - Taking a Deep Dive into AI
- Business Analytics and Management Science Concentration
- Daniel Ringel Faculty Profile
- UNC Provost's AI Initiatives
- Kenan Institute Corporate Partners