Proposal

Narrative

We are seeking funding to equip a laboratory (called the Business Insights Lab, ‘BIL’) as a hub of innovation, offering: #State-of-the-art Learning: Students can access the latest technology, providing hands-on, experiential learning opportunities. This means using tools like virtual reality (VR), augmented reality (AR), and eye-tracking technology and software that allows for AI-driven analysis in an innovative classroom setting for existing (e.g., digital marketing) and new classes (e.g., AI in Marketing, Behavioral economics). These technologies will help students understand complex concepts in new and engaging ways and enable them to learn skills that set them apart in the workplace. #Cutting-edge Research: The new technology and space will enable scholars across the CoB to conduct innovative and impactful research, particularly in areas where business intersects with neuroscience and AI. #Community Engagement: The BIL lab will also be a resource for the local community. This includes classroom collaboration with local businesses to work on real-world problems, providing practical solutions. The BIL will be located adjacent to the newly created collaborative teaching space (LA415) on the Davie campus and will feature a technology-enabled multi-use room (LA432), a control room (LA434), and an in-depth interview room (LA436). The space will be upgraded to include Zoom capabilities, making it easier for students and faculty to collaborate on and offsite. Advantages of the BIL to FAU stakeholders: (1) brings AI and technology-driven solutions to the forefront of education, (2) creates real-life experiences for students to engage with corporate partners and the community, (3) increases strategically relevant research around AI, and (4) builds capabilities of FAU branch campuses. The supporting documentation discusses implications of the BIL to students, researchers, and the community, lists 20+ courses that can benefit, and provides a space layout.

Facilities

Overall, we plan to create a state-of-the-art technology-enabled multi-use room (e.g., focus group room with VR, AR, and Eye Tracking Capabilities, and a one-way mirror for observations), a connected control room, as well as a connected in-depth interview room). There will be an addition of a one-way mirror from LA432 to LA434, a door from LA415 to 432, and a door from LA 432 to LA 436. The rooms will also be repainted to FAU white (Please see the floor plan/layout in the supporting documentation for the exact location within each room) and the carpet will be replaced in LA432 to match LA415.

Hardware Requirements

Hardware requirements for the rooms beyond the hardware that already exists (see supporting documentation for a complete list and narrative for its use): Overview: Multi-use Room: - Meta Quest Pro Headsets (VR/AR/face, eye, and body tracking) for classroom use and research - Eye tracking glasses for classroom use and research - VR capable PCs for data processing - Room cameras, microphones, headphones, speakers - green screens - Tables for focus-group participants - One-way mirror to the control room Control Room - laptop, monitors Teaching/Collaborations Space: - Microphones, Cameras, hardware supporting zoom and conferencing - additional table with chairs Computer Lab Space: - headphones, cameras

Software Requirements

There are minimal software requirements beyond what already exists. The only software to be purchased with the grant is 'Labvanced' for using the Meta Quest Pro headsets, eye-tracking glasses, and the AI-driven analytics of the collected data. The software is for classroom and researcher use and can be integrated throughout. The software required to run the research study management of the Business Insights Lab (Sona subscription) will be acquired by the Cob separately.

Personnel Costs

At this point, no personnel costs will be incurred.

Other Costs

There will be some costs associated with two doors, the one-way mirror, paint, and carpet (see the budget, and supplementary information, the 'other costs' are estimates based on previous projects) as well as the description in the section for facilities.

Timeline

Several classes are scheduled to use LA-415 in the Spring and Summer 2025 semesters. Upon the success of this grant, we expect to have all the renovations, hardware and software acquisitions done by Fall 2025. We would like the courses scheduled for the Fall 2025 to be able to use all the facilities and equipment of the BIL lab space.

Sustainability

The CoB will take care of the maintenance of the BIL and the adjacent teaching and collaboration space.

Resource Matching

We are hoping that this grant will cover the majority of the costs. Incidental cost coverage will be requested from the CoB. Additionally, the CoB has already agreed to cover the costs and installation of a 82' monitor to increase the teaching capacity and thus the utility of LA415 as well has agreed to pay for a study management system software (Sona; annually recurring) that allows for conducting research studies in the space. This software will be used by students, instructors, and also for research throughout the CoB and will be managed by the Business Insights Lab. These two items have not been added to the requested budget as they needed to be implemented already for the Spring 2025 semester.

Implementing Organization

Facilities and OIT