Artificial intelligence may dominate today's headlines, but tomorrow's business leaders will face a much bigger challenge: knowing how to evaluate, adopt and lead emerging technologies that haven't been invented yet.
To help students prepare for that future, the University of Nebraska–Lincoln College of Business is launching Navigating Emerging Technologies in Business (BSAD 340) this fall. The new two-credit course will be offered as a pilot elective for eligible juniors and seniors before becoming part of the undergraduate core curriculum for business majors.
The course will be taught by Lorenzo Ball, a technology executive with leadership roles at Mutual of Omaha, Ameritas, IBM and Slalom. During his more than 20-year career, Ball led enterprise technology, data and artificial intelligence strategy across financial services, consulting and global organizations. He also serves on the advisory board for the college's Department of Supply Chain Management and Analytics, where industry leaders advise faculty on workforce trends, employer needs and emerging skills that should be reflected in the student experience.
"Students are entering industries where technology is becoming part of every business function. They need to understand how to evaluate it, recommend it, understand the risks and create the right business case for leadership to adopt new technologies and change the organization if that's the right decision," he said.
Rather than teaching students how to use a specific technology, the course focuses on developing the judgment business professionals need to evaluate emerging technologies, understand their business impact and communicate recommendations to organizational leaders.
Students will analyze real-world business scenarios through discussions, case studies and executive-style writing assignments. Each module asks students to approach an emerging technology from the perspective of a business leader, such as a chief financial officer or chief information officer, and recommend a course of action.
"Technology itself doesn't create value. People create value," Ball said. "Students are the ones who will bring value to their organizations by applying technology thoughtfully to the right problems and asking the right questions."
Navigating Emerging Technologies in Business is the third new course introduced through the College of Business' redesigned undergraduate curriculum, which launched in fall 2025. It joins Introduction to Business, where students explore the functional areas of business while making recommendations for a real business challenge through the Business Battle competition, and Applied Improv for Successful Business Leaders, which develops communication, teamwork and adaptability.
"Technology will continue to evolve throughout our students' careers. This course isn't about preparing students for one technology. It's about giving them the judgment and confidence to evaluate new technologies throughout their careers," said Laurie Miller, associate dean for undergraduate programs and curriculum.
The pilot section meets Mondays from 8 to 9:15 a.m. throughout the fall semester, with additional asynchronous coursework. The course will become part of the required curriculum for students next year, but this section gives current juniors and seniors an opportunity to take it as an elective. Students must have a 2.5 GPA, be a College of Business major with at least junior standing, and complete BSAD 261, BSAD 333, ACCT 202, ECON 211, ECON 212 and SCMA 350 before enrolling. Eligible students can enroll now through MyRed.
