AI Skills for Business and Economics module (BU12012)

​​Build AI skills that modern business and economics careers demand. Learn to use AI tools effectively and critically. Evaluate AI outputs and apply them in academic and professional contexts

Credits
20
Module code
BU12012
Level
1
School
School of Business
Discipline
Economics

​​This module is designed for Year 1 students who want to develop practical AI literacy from the start of their degree. You don't need a technical background. The focus is on understanding what AI can and can't do, and how to use it well. 

​You'll explore the core concepts behind AI and large language models, learn effective prompting strategies, and practise using AI tools in business and economics contexts. You'll also work with quantitative software to analyse simple datasets with AI support. 

​A key theme throughout is critical evaluation. You'll assess AI-generated content for accuracy, bias, and relevance, and explore the ethical and academic integrity questions that come with using AI in professional settings. 

​What you will learn 

​In this module, you will: 

  • ​Understand core AI concepts and their growing applications in business and economics 
  • ​Use AI systems and large language models to support your studies and common business tasks 
  • ​Develop critical and responsible AI literacy relevant to a wide range of business and economics contexts 

​By the end of this module, you will be able to: 

  • ​Explain key AI concepts and distinguish between major types of AI systems at a non-technical level 
  • ​Describe how AI methods are used in business and economics 
  • ​Use AI tools and effective prompting strategies to support your learning and work 
  • ​Critically evaluate AI-generated content for accuracy, bias, relevance, and appropriateness 
  • ​Demonstrate responsible and ethical use of AI tools in line with academic integrity and professional standards​

Assignments / assessments

​​Coursework (100%) 

  • ​Assignment 1 (50%): conceptual understanding of AI, prompting strategies, and critical and ethical reflection on AI use 
  • ​Assignment 2 (50%): AI-supported quantitative data analysis of a small business or economics dataset 

​This module does not have a final exam.

Teaching methods / timetable

  • ​​Weekly lectures introducing key concepts and examples of AI in business and economics 
  • ​Computer lab workshops with hands-on AI tool practice and case studies 
  • ​Independent study supported by recommended readings and curated online resources​