The Koeze Business Ethics Initiative is pleased to announce the winners of our inaugural research grants. These grants are intended to help fund innovative research by Seidman faculty in two areas: 1) Artificial General Intelligence, and 2) Social Capital, especially in Grand Rapids.  The proposals were blinded and evaluated by an independent panel of judges. 

Professors Thuy Simpson (Finance) and Randi Jiang (Accounting) were awarded $4500 for the academic year ‘24-‘25 for their proposal “Is AI the Next Oppenheimer?”. Simpson and Jiang will be investigating “the impact of AI reliance on human cognitive abilities, looking to shed light on the benefits and risks of this rapidly-evolving technology.”

Professor Ezekiel Leo (Management) was awarded $1200 to further his work reviewing the “state-of-the-art of AI as a measurement method,” looking ahead to the possibility of conducting “an empirical study on the validity of AI measurements methods based on expert assessment.”

Regarding social capital, Professor Christopher Cruz (Economics) was awarded $4500 to continue his analysis of how various areas of Grand Rapids (the Grandville Corridor and 49507, in particular) are faring relative to their history and to other parts of the city. 

The KBEI contracted with John Kinch, PhD, the executive director of Michigan Energy Options, to help us develop a sustainable energy competition, beginning now, that is open to all GVSU students. First Prize is $5000, second is $3000, and third is $1000.

The clean energy sector is booming in Michigan, and yet there are numerous gaps, even “market failures,” where the right business solution could be the next big thing in this industry.

Around West Michigan there are opportunities for more clean, efficient, renewable, resilient energy solutions.

If a student has, or a team of students have, an idea, ranging from policy to entrepreneurship to engineering, they are welcome to enter this business case competition. Along with the prize money, they’ll gain recognition at GVSU and in the industry, and work with expert mentors in this field we’ve brought in to work on this with us.

More here:   gvsu.edu/seidman/ethics/sustainableenergywins

Sustainable Energy Wins Orientation
Friday, September 20, 2024

12:00-1:30pm

L. William Seidman Center
50 Front Ave SW
SCB 4002 - 4th Floor Board Room
Grand Rapids, MI 49504

More information

KBEI Book Club
Monday, September 23, 2024

6:00-8:00pm

LV Eberhard Center
301 Fulton St W
Foundation Room
Grand Rapids, MI 49504

KBEI hosts a book club every other month for local executives, faculty, and business owners. This event will be in person and by invitation only. Please contact Michael DeWilde, dewildem@gvsu.edu, for information.

AI Faculty Learning Circle Luncheon
Wednesday, September 25, 2024

12:00-1:30pm

L. William Seidman Center
50 Front Ave SW
SCB 3001
Grand Rapids, MI 49504

Join us as Paul Hillman and Dawn Brackmann lead a discussion of how and why they've come to see that components of AI should be part of our teaching practices. Based on work Paul and Dawn did over the summer, each has come to think of the role of AI in the classroom differently than they did before.  

Lunch provided.

Please contact Michael DeWilde, dewildem@gvsu.edu, for information.

Sustainable Energy Wins Competition
Wednesday, February 26, 2025

8:30am-2:00pm

L. William Seidman Center
50 Front Ave SW
SCB 1008 - Charles W. Loosemore Forum
Grand Rapids, MI 49504

More information

Thank you for your continuous support for the Koeze Business Ethics Initiative. If you have any questions or concerns, please contact Michael DeWilde at dewildem@gvsu.edu.