Most organizations know they need to integrate artificial intelligence into the way they do business, but few have effectively translated that ambition into everyday practice. Ryan Kurt will help ensure the Tippie College of Business is one that does—and teaches its students how to do it, too.
Kurt, the first executive in residence for AI-enabled education at Tippie, is the CEO and founder of The AI Lab, an executive AI community and AI coaching platform designed to help business leaders tangibly navigate the generative AI era. The company focuses on bridging the gap between AI’s promise and real-world execution by providing AI strategy, peer communities for executives, and hands-on capability building for workers.
AI advisor
“Ryan will share perspectives on what executives are actually doing with AI and what they expect from the talent they hire,” said Kang Zhao, senior associate dean. “He’ll provide a clear picture of the AI skills companies are prioritizing in new graduates, how those skills translate across industries and functions, and practical frameworks for how faculty can stay current—and help students stay competitive.”
Kurt has been advising executives on AI deployment for real business outcomes since 2013, beginning at a CIA-backed early language model company. He specializes in helping organizations understand AI holistically, enabling companies to move beyond studying generative AI to using it in everyday work to create demonstrable value. At Tippie, he’ll work closely with faculty to integrate AI tools and topics across the college’s curriculum, contribute to the design of new AI-focused courses and programs, and lead workshops on AI-enabled teaching. He will also provide feedback on pilot initiatives and advise college leadership on AI strategy and positioning in business education, offering a practitioner’s perspective on emerging opportunities and risks.
“This is a dream role for me. I’m a lifelong Hawkeye, and the opportunity to help my alma mater lead in this space means a great deal,” said Kurt. “There’s a common assumption that students must adapt to AI to remain employable. I see it differently—this generation will show organizations how to use AI effectively. Helping Tippie lead with ethical, pragmatic, and human-centered approaches means graduates won’t just keep pace with change—they’ll help drive it.”
Collaborations with higher ed
Collaborating with higher education to navigate AI initiatives is not new for Kurt. According to Jen Stave, inaugural director at the Harvard Business School AI Institute, “Ryan has been working at the intersection of generative language technology, business transformation, and executive education since long before generative AI became mainstream. Our work together on AI projects dates back to 2016 and has continued through collaborations with Harvard’s AI Institute and Harvard Business Review. He brings a rare ability to translate emerging technology into practical guidance for leaders, faculty, students, and institutions.”
Kurt brings deep experience at the intersection of artificial intelligence and global ethics, with a focus on how organizations apply AI responsibly in practice. He regularly engages leaders across business, academia, and faith on questions of human dignity and the common good—and helps translate those discussions into practical guidance for decision-making.
At Tippie, he will extend this approach to students and faculty through guest lectures, experiential learning projects, and industry connections that connect classroom learning with real-world business practices.
“This appointment advances Tippie’s commitment to integrating AI across our curriculum and preparing our students for an increasingly AI-enabled business environment,” Zhao said.
A graduate of the University of Iowa, Kurt earned his bachelor’s degree in finance in 2006.
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