Centre for AI in Business

The launch of the Centre reflects an institutional belief that the next phase of AI adoption will be defined less by access to models and more by the ability to run them efficiently, securely, and with business context.

Organisations are navigating a complex environment marked by

• Rising hardware and memory costs
• Limited availability of specialised compute resources
• Growing demand for AI systems that can execute multi-step workflows, not just generate outputs

In this context, the Centre focuses on intelligence, optimisation, and precision rather than brute-force compute. Its work is grounded in the practical realities organisations face as they transition AI from experimentation to everyday use

The Centre for AI in Business at Great Lakes Institute of Management has been established to address a defining shift in how artificial intelligence is being adopted by organisations.

Artificial intelligence is no longer an experimental capability. Across industries, it is becoming embedded in how businesses operate, make decisions, and execute work. As organisations move from pilots to production, they face new challenges around infrastructure, cost, data governance, and the ability to deploy AI systems that function reliably at scale.

The Centre for AI in Business was created in response to this moment, with a clear focus on applied AI that works inside organisations, across real systems, under real constraints.

Focus Areas for The Centre

The Centre for AI in Business concentrates on applying AI to core business systems and decision-making environments. Its work spans areas such as operations, supply chains, finance, and enterprise workflows, where AI must integrate with existing systems and processes.

A key emphasis is on Agentic AI, autonomous systems designed to support end-to-end workflows rather than isolated tasks. This represents a shift from AI as a tool to AI as an active participant in business execution, operating across data, systems, and decision rules

High-Performance Computing for Applied AI

A central capability of the Centre is its High-Performance Computing (HPC) infrastructure, with a compute capacity of 7 teraflops, designed to function as a private, on-premise supercomputing environment.

This infrastructure supports:

• Large-scale parallel data processing
• Local deployment and testing of language models
• Advanced simulations and modelling without dependence on public cloud platforms

By enabling local execution of AI workloads, the Centre reduces reliance on hyperscalers and allows organisations to work with sensitive data in controlled environments. The HPC setup supports use cases such as supply chain digital twins, financial risk simulations, geospatial analytics, and transport modelling.

Approach to Agentic AI and Data Strategy

The Centre’s work on Agentic AI is closely tied to efficiency and sustainability in AI deployment. Rather than defaulting to large, resource-intensive models, the Centre emphasises:

• Designing agentic workflows that optimise compute usage
• Building structured data strategies, including retrieval-augmented generation pipelines
• Working with smaller, specialised language models where appropriate

This approach reflects the Centre’s focus on making AI deployable and economically viable for organisations operating under real-world constraints

Industry Collaboration and Ecosystem Engagement

The Centre for AI in Business actively engages with practitioners and industry partners who are working at the forefront of AI adoption. This includes collaboration with experts in areas such as AI safety, security, and enterprise deployment.

Great Lakes has also partnered with SAP through the SAP University Alliances programme, supporting industry-research engagement and the development of curriculum aligned with enterprise systems and business realities

Through these collaborations, the Centre functions as a shared platform for faculty, students, and industry practitioners to co-create applied AI solutions.

Research, Learning, and Talent Development

The Centre for AI in Business serves as a space where research, education, and application intersect. It supports:

• Applied research in AI systems and workflows
• Curriculum development that reflects current and emerging industry needs
• Opportunities for students to work on real-world AI problems through projects, internships, and collaborative initiatives

This approach aligns with Great Lakes’ broader philosophy of combining global thinking with strong industry relevance, ensuring that learning remains grounded in practice.