Ilitch School welcomes Kwame Porter Robinson, assistant professor of Technology, Information Systems and Analytics

I'm Kwame Porter Robinson, a new assistant professor at Wayne State University's Mike Ilitch School of Business in the Technology, Information Systems, and Analytics department.

I hold a Ph.D. from the University of Michigan's School of Information, where I focused on ways of doing our economy differently, or community-based economies, using co-designed information systems using automation and AI.

My research emphasizes the bottom-up creation of community enterprise technology within the broader field of digital sustainability in information systems, supporting alternative approaches to economic systems.

My career path has been diverse. I got my start as a civilian data scientist in the Department of Defense, transitioned to running my own data science consulting company, where I worked with large philanthropies, non-governmental organizations, and state departments. After briefly working for a civic technology start up, I returned to academia for my Ph.D. This blend of public sector, entrepreneurial, and academic experiences informs my approach to information systems and technology design.

What are your primary teaching interests?

My primary teaching interests center on digital sustainability for information systems and integrated social and economic sustainability. Specifically, my teaching focuses on digital transformation and community-based economies; digital sustainability for information systems design - including novel AI applications; and technology-driven entrepreneurship and innovation

These areas are crucial for preparing future business leaders to leverage technology responsibly in an increasingly complex world and economy.

What are your primary research interests?

My research agenda centers on three interrelated areas, all viewed through the lens of digital sustainability at the intersection of technology, business and society.

Computing for Community Economies: Investigating how AI and automation can enhance equity and foster social, economic, and environmentally sustainable business models in diverse economic ecosystems, with an emphasis on bottom-up approaches.

Sustainability Assessment: Developing technology and frameworks to foster and facilitate the transition towards positive environmental, social, and economic impacts for businesses, with a particular focus on community-based economies (CBE) in Detroit.

Social Justice in Human-AI Interaction: Exploring proactive approaches to AI implementation in business contexts, focusing on issues of justice, trust, and fairness.

Tell me about your background in Technology?

In academia, I've worked extensively with large language models, multimodal machine learning, and mixed-method system designs, applying these to entrepreneurial and larger social contexts. My industry experience includes roles in the Department of Defense, running a data science consulting company, and working in various startups.

I hold degrees in information, electrical engineering, computer science, and, interestingly enough, graphic design. This diverse background allows me to bridge theoretical concepts with practical applications, ensuring that my research and teaching remain relevant to current business technology needs and community-based economic models.

Why did you come to the Ilitch School of Business?

The Ilitch School of Business at Wayne State University offers an ideal environment for research and teaching. Its focus on information systems and analytics, coupled with its deep connections to Detroit's diverse business community, really provides an impactful opportunity to work with students and communities towards digital sustainability.

The school's commitment to fostering innovation and entrepreneurship aligns perfectly with my goal of preparing students for a technology-driven future that prioritizes sustainable and equitable business technology.

What makes you passionate about business education?

I'm passionate about business education because it sits at the nexus of technology, societal impact, and economic growth. In today's rapidly evolving digital landscape, businesses play a crucial role in driving innovation and shaping our collective future. By educating the next generation of business leaders in digital information system sustainability, not just environmental, but social and economic, we can foster innovative business students ready to meet tomorrow's challenges.

Business education provides a platform to introduce and examine these alternative approaches, preparing Ilitch School students to create and lead organizations that are not only profitable but also environmentally and socially generative from day one.

What is one thing you wish all your students would do?

I wish all my students would embrace a mindset of continuous learning and critical thinking, especially when it comes to emerging technologies and ways of making value for businesses and their communities. The business world is constantly evolving, and today's solutions might not be suitable for tomorrow's challenges. I encourage my students to not just learn current tools and theories, but to develop the skills to adapt, question, and innovate. This includes staying curious, considering ethical implications, and always seeking ways to support community-based values.

What are you excited about seeing in Detroit?

I'm honored to be part of Detroit's ongoing renaissance! The city's rich history of innovation, combined with its current entrepreneurial momentum makes it an exciting time to be involved in community-based economies and sustainable business practices.

I'm looking forward to expanding the ways of doing economy in Detroit, engaging in participatory design with many more small businesses, entrepreneurs, and Wayne State University students. With Detroit's business community this hands-on involvement will provide valuable real-world insights for students and the field of business information systems at large.

The Wayne State University Mike Ilitch School of Business prepares students for challenging and rewarding careers, advances the boundaries of scholarly and practitioner knowledge, and enhances the economic vitality of the city of Detroit, the state of Michigan and beyond through its programs, research and community engagement. Established in 1946, the business school was renamed in 2015 in recognition of a $40 million gift from Mike and Marian Ilitch. Thanks to this lead investment, the school moved to a new state-of-the-art building in the heart of the District Detroit in 2018, and academic programming and collaboration with city businesses are expanding. For more information, visit ilitchbusiness.wayne.edu.