Generative AI Studio

We’re watching something new unfold. Generative AI isn’t just changing how we search or write emails, it’s changing how we work, learn, and create, and is opening up new possibilities. The question is: what role will we play in shaping what comes next?

That’s why we’ve established The Studio, a year-long program where students build real AI projects using Generative AI. Not demos. Not presentations. Working prototypes to show what is now possible when we can program with prose.

Now is the Time to Build

How it Works

The Studio runs as a collaborative, extracurricular workshop, where individual creativity is celebrated. Students explore a range of concepts essential to understanding the potential of Generative AI, along with new techniques, while developing their own projects over the course of the year. Our weekly sessions will be complimented by several day-long charrettes, where studio participants work in teams to tackle a novel challenge.

Throughout the experience, we provide 1:1 mentorship, technical resources, and regular feedback as students explore what generative AI can do beyond chatbots. The emphasis is on ambitious experimentation; we expect things to break, pivot, and occasionally surprise us.

A robotic hand and a human hand reach towards each other with a bright spark in between, symbolizing the connection between technology and humanity.

Bringing ideas to life

Weekly sprints keep projects moving from idea to implementation, while enabling participants to explore new concepts and techniques aimed at catalyzing their own creative use of Generative AI.

Learning from people who've done it

Faculty, alumni, and practitioners show their work, including the dead ends and unexpected breakthroughs. Sessions focus on demos and lessons learned, not lectures.

Creating in the open

Projects developed here need to have at least some open components where everyone can learn from your experience. We believe good ideas should spread, and part of making sure society benefits from AI is making sure there are positive, ethical examples of AI applications for others to see.

What We’ll Explore

Together, we will explore concepts that can catalyze the use of Generative AI, including the themes listed below.

touch_app

Beyond the Chatbot

How can we design user experiences with Generative AI that move past the text box and develop novel modalities that open up fresh ways of working with AI rather than talking to it?

tactic

Making AI Advice Useful

What would it take for Generative AI to deliver nuanced, contextual, and actionable business advice? How might AI mirror the insights of seasoned consultants or facilitators, grounded in strategy, human dynamics, and lived experience?

experiment

AI as Scientist

How can Generative AI accelerate scientific discovery? How can Generative AI partner with researchers to fuel hypothesis generation, testing, and breakthroughs across disciplines?

auto_awesome

Designing for Awe

How can we integrate and leverage AI in the pursuit of aesthetic experiences that are unique, beautiful, and meaningful? How can we use it to further artful human expression?

Who’s Involved

The program is led by GAIL’s executive director in partnership with Penn faculty and GAIL senior fellows and staff. Sessions feature Wharton faculty, alumni practitioners, and guests from various fields who have built AI products.

Core Team

Professor Chris Callison-Burch

Professor, Department of Computer and Information Science
Program Director, Online Master of Science in Engineering in Artificial Intelligence

Geoff DiMasi

Lecturer, Integrated Product Design, University of Pennsylvania,
Director, Temple University Entrepreneurship Academy
Innovation & Entrepreneurship Institute (IEI)

Professor Ethan Mollick

Ralph J. Roberts Distinguished Faculty Scholar
Faculty Director, Wharton Generative AI Labs

Laura Zarrow

Executive Director, Wharton Generative AI Labs

Ben Przystanski

AI Architect, Wharton Generative AI Labs

How to Apply

The Studio welcomes applications from currently matriculated MBA students. Applicants should have some experience using generative AI and a concrete idea to pursue. You do not need to know how to program!

To be considered, applicants must provide the following:

Information about You

Provide a cover letter explaining why you are interested in being part of the Generative AI Studio. Please share your thoughts about the potential of Generative AI and how it challenges and/or inspires you.

Project Proposal (1-2 pages)

Describe what you want to build/create, who might use it or be the audience for it, and what you're still figuring out. Include any sketches, mockups, or prototypes that will help us understand your vision and areas of investigation.

We are looking for clear thinking, good questions, and interesting ideas.

Work samples (1-3 samples, 1 page max per sample)

Show us 1-3 Generative AI projects you are working on or that you've completed. We want to see how you approach problems, and how you’ve put Generative AI to work. For each project, please describe what your goals were, your technical approach, what you learned, and include any relevant links, videos, images, code or documentation (if the project advanced to that point).

The link to submit your application will be active on December 15 and closes on December 31. Decisions will be released by 5 pm on January 12, 2026.

Apply to the Studio

The Studio will meet Fridays from 12:00-3:00 PM in the Collab Lab in the WAIAI suite #336A in ARB. Our new cohort will begin on January 23, 2026, with our returning cohort joining them the following week. Our final session will be on April 17. Please note that there will be no sessions on the following dates: March 6, March 13 and April 3. The program also includes at least one Saturday workshop, scheduled based on participant availability.

Note: GAIL will feature Studio projects and discoveries on our website. Our code will live on GitHub.

Questions? Contact Us

GenAILab@wharton.upenn.edu