Teaching mathematical concepts in management with generative artificial intelligence: The power of human oversight in AI-driven learning

This study demonstrates a successful use of Generative Artificial Intelligence (AI) in teaching mathematical material to management students. We herein introduce the EOQ World Tour game, which substantially improves understanding of inventory-related concepts and long-term knowledge retention compared with traditional methods.

Generative AI is revolutionizing management education, by offering innovative methods for teaching and learning. The integration of AI into quantitative business disciplines through novel learning mechanisms provides significant benefits, including enhanced data analysis, improved decision-making models, and sophisticated simulations for hands-on experience. This study introduces the EOQ World Tour game, specifically designed to teach the Economic Order Quantity concept in Operations Management. The game addresses challenges in integrating Generative AI into mathematics in management education by combining human oversight and instructor control through three innovative features: (1) a Generative AI-based simulation, (2) a macropowered Excel worksheet for validating the calculations of an AI chatbot, and (3) a Google Sheets dashboard for centralizing team-generated AI data for postgame analysis.

Our study included 41 students divided into experimental and control groups. Pretest results indicated no significant differences in baseline knowledge. However, the post-test results showed that the experimental group achieved a better understanding of inventory-related concepts and practical applications, along with higher engagement, excitement, confidence, and long-term knowledge retention.