The Haub School of Business at Saint Joseph’s University in Philadelphia has launched a groundbreaking AI initiative known as ChatSDG. This program aims to evaluate the alignment of scholarly articles and journals with the United Nations’ sustainable development goals (SDGs). At a recent business education conference, professionals from various institutions flocked to test this innovative tool, recognizing its potential impact on accreditation and research assessment within the academic community.
AACSB accreditation, considered one of the most rigorous in higher education, is crucial for business schools. ChatSDG, acting as a peer reviewer, generates custom reports assessing the societal impact of submitted research. Using a scoring system from zero to five, the AI assigns ratings based on the degree of alignment with UN goals. Additionally, it provides feedback for unpublished articles on how to enhance alignment and suggests practical applications for published research.
Dean Joseph DiAngelo anticipates ChatSDG revolutionizing business school curriculum, research methodologies, and accreditation processes. By streamlining the evaluation process, this AI tool has the potential to significantly reduce the time and effort required for schools to obtain and maintain AACSB certification, which is currently a lengthy and labor-intensive endeavor.
New AI Chatbot Changing Business School Learning and Accreditation (Credits: Forbes)
ChatSDG’s ability to satisfy AACSB’s accreditation requirement for demonstrating societal impact underscores its significance in academic evaluation. By leveraging AI technology, business schools can expedite the accreditation process and minimize the resources traditionally dedicated to manual review and reporting.
The collaboration between the Haub School and Cabells Scholarly Analytics has led to the development of ChatSDG, which has undergone pilot testing in ten AACSB-accredited business schools over the past 18 months. This initiative reflects a broader trend of integrating AI into business education, as evidenced by its adoption in leading institutions such as the University of Pennsylvania’s Wharton School and Northwestern University’s Kellogg School of Management.
As AI continues to be recognized as a valuable business tool, its application in academia holds promise for enhancing efficiency and quality in research assessment and accreditation procedures. The emergence of ChatSDG represents a significant step forward in leveraging technology to advance educational standards and promote sustainable development goals within the business education community.
