AI for Good: Business Building in the Digital Media Era

In today’s rapidly evolving business and technology landscape, emerging technologies such as AI are reshaping the way we connect, communicate, and engage with the world. Generative AI, in particular, is blurring the lines between human and machine-created content, creating new challenges and opportunities for businesses and society alike. As AI continues to influence the way we experience the world, it offers a powerful tool for addressing pressing societal challenges and creating meaningful change.

This course invites students from all disciplines to explore the intersection of technology, business creation, and social responsibility. While the course focuses on entrepreneurial thinking, the heart of the course is the use of AI to build businesses that amplify positive human values and foster stronger communities. Students will engage in collaborative, hands-on projects that challenge them to think critically and creatively about how to design solutions that benefit individuals, businesses, and society as a whole.

For instance, students might consider how AI can enhance sustainability by connecting small-scale local farmers with consumers, reducing food waste, and ensuring that nutritious food is accessible to all. Alternatively, students may explore how AI-driven platforms can make art, music, and creative expression more inclusive, helping to broaden access for underserved communities and promote cultural equity. These are just a few examples of how AI can be leveraged to create businesses that not only address market needs but also foster community well-being and social good.

Throughout the course, students will be encouraged to view business creation as a tool for positive social impact, using innovation to solve real-world challenges. By understanding the intersection of human behavior, data, and technology, students will gain the skills to create business models that are not only financially viable but also ethically responsible. This course culminates in the development of actionable prototypes and business models that harness AI to promote inclusivity, sustainability, and human flourishing.

The course is designed to be accessible to all students, regardless of prior business experience, and fosters an environment where diverse perspectives can thrive. Through collaboration, reflection, and a focus on continuous learning, students will gain the tools to navigate the complexities of today’s digital world and emerge as leaders who can apply their entrepreneurial skills to create a better future for all.

To successfully participate in this remote offering, students need a computer and high-speed internet access. Students are expected to participate in 3 1/2 hours of synchronous instructional activities (scheduled on Zoom Meeting) each week.

AI for Good is designed primarily as a 12-credit program. Students in that option will complete a capstone project and participate in a series of hands-on, entrepreneurial and leadership reflection activities. 

Students may also enroll for 8 credits (which will include the capstone project but not the entrepreneurial and leadership activities), or for 4 credits (with neither the capstone nor the other activities). Also, students may add on an additional 2 credits to participate in a mini-course to create a mini-podcast about a new idea in business building. If you are interested in registering for any of these options, please speak with the faculty at the Academic Fair on December 4 or contact them directly at taki.hirakawa@evergreen.edu to obtain a faculty signature override. 

Winter Anticipated Credit Equivalencies

Enrolling at 4 credits:

4 - Foundations of Entrepreneurship

Enrolling at 8 credits:

4 - Foundations of Entrepreneurship

4 - AI for Good: New Ventures Capstone

Enrolling at 12 credits:

4 - Foundations of Business Design

4 - AI for Good: New Ventures Capstone

4 - Entrepreneurial Leadership in Action

Enrolling 6, 10, or 14 credits:

Additional 2 credits

Digital Garage: Exploring Entrepreneurial Practices