Teaching Responsible Leadership in an AI-Enabled World

As artificial intelligence reshapes the future of work, today’s students need more than technical familiarity—they need the judgment and leadership skills to use these tools responsibly. At the David Eccles School of Business at the University of Utah, Assistant Professor Dr. Quentin T. Baldwin, PMP, is preparing business students for this reality through MGT 1030 – Responsible Business Leadership, a hybrid, inquiry-driven course that integrates AI at every stage of learning.

An Inquiry-Driven Course for a Changing World

The course is structured around three themed blocks—Culture & Ethics, Sustainability & Climate Leadership, and Reimagining DEI—giving students opportunities to apply ethical reasoning to real organizational challenges. Using university research databases, the University of Utah Responsible AI Toolkit, and the CPMAI 6-phase AI project framework, students learn how responsible AI leadership works in practice.

AI as a Teaching Partner

Drawing on professional experience in financial services project management, Dr. Baldwin shows students how AI can accelerate problem-solving without replacing human judgment. AI tools support:

• Customized learning pathways through U-Bots that connect content to current events

• Literacy-focused discussions using AI-supported Packback prompts

• AI-assisted research badges that guide students toward credible sources

• More efficient, personalized feedback even in large classes

This approach fulfills his course motto:

“Customizing the learning experience for every student.”

 

Real-World Application and Assessment

Students build a Responsible Leadership Portfolio that ties together ethics, sustainability, and inclusion. Each block concludes with an oral exam simulating a manager–employee dialogue—mirroring the real conversations where responsible leadership matters most. An external AI specialist provides industry-aligned insight throughout the course.

Why It Matters

By integrating AI as a tool—not a replacement—MGT 1030 demonstrates how intelligent systems can enhance equity, efficiency, and critical thinking in business education. Students leave the course better prepared to lead responsibly in a world where AI is embedded in every professional field.

For more information, email: Quentin.T.Baldwin@Eccles.Utah.edu