HUMAN-CENTRIC AND AGENTIC AI LABORATORY (HAAL)
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ABOUT THE LAB
The Human-centric and Agentic Artificial Intelligence Laboratory (HAAL) at VSB is an innovative research hub for faculty and students, focusing on timely and important issues concerning artificial intelligence (AI) in the business world, specifically, human-centered AI and agentic AI technologies.
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HAAL IS DESIGNED TO:
Foster high quality and publishable academic research on business issues involving human-centric and agentic AI technologies;ÌýÌý
Engage students in research projects; andÌý
Create AI-related human-centered and agentic business infrastructure within VSB.
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SUPPORTING CRITICAL RESEARCH
The increased visibility and adoption of Artificial Intelligence (AI) technologies–including large language models and the use of AI agents with different features to set up agentic workflow–have created unprecedented demand for AI usage in all aspects of business. AI usage requires the integration of various technologies with human actions, be it as consumers, operational or financial decision makers, or for managing broader societal choices. The intersection of agentic choices with human needs can create a wide range of ethical and governance issues (e.g., transparently replacing human know-how with AI-driven capabilities).
Given the evolving scope and complexity of AI usage, many types of experiments are underway for profit and non-profit businesses. There is also an unprecedented investment, and valuation growth, for AI startups and platforms. These experiments in human-centric business decisions, and agentic technologies call for academic research on emerging practices such as dramatic restructuring of workflows and workforce engagement. This also means that VSB graduates will be asked to take on AI-based research in their future careers, and the HAAL will provide invaluable real-world experience in this area.Ìý
HAAL lab work can be done virtually or in collaboration with the Gmelich Lab for Financial Markets or theÌý Laboratory for the Advancement of Interdisciplinary Research (LAIR). HAAL also hosts virtual computational platforms to code AI pipelines, create agents, and conduct analyses.Ìý
CURRENT RESEARCH PROJECTS:
- Sentiment and valuation analysis of critical mineral capital mearkets and supply chains using AI capabilities. Joint work with Professor Mukesh Kumar and
- Parallel versus Sequential Exploration of Creative Ideas in Entrepreneurial Decision using AI capabilities. Joint work with Professor Karthik Ramachandran, Schneller School Business, Georgia Institute of Technology.
- Management of Agentic Servitization. Joint work with Professors Juliana Hsuan and Metehan Sorkun, Copenhagen Business School.
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STUDENT OPPORTUNITIES:
Students interested in directed studies in the areas such as consumer insights, entrepreneurial innovations and business models, operational design of service process, and teaming for creative processes, should submit a statement of interest to: nitindra.joglekar@villanova.edu.
A limited number of opportunities will be open starting in the spring 2026 term. Applications will be evaluated on a rolling basis subject to funding (e.g., for GPU usage) and faculty availability. Background in Python would be considered a plus. Students from all business majors will be considered.
HAAL Team:
Professor Nitin Joglekar, Convener
Professor Pankaj Patel, Convener
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, Research Assistant