Teaching

Teaching

I teach strategy through engaging cases, active learning, and experiential tools that connect theory to real-world decisions.

169

Students taught

6.71 / 7

Teaching evaluation

7

AI case studies

My Courses

I have taught and TA'd courses in Strategy, including the COMM401-business and corporate strategy.

Teaching Approach

How I design learning experiences that connect theory to practice and ask students to take a position.

AI in Teaching

Using AI cases, simulations, and workshops so students practice judgment rather than outsource it.

Student Feedback

What students say about the learning experience in COMM401.

Course Taught

COMM401 Business and Corporate Strategy

  • Core strategy capstone for fourth-year Commerce students (85–86 per section; 169 taught).
  • Live AI cases reflecting current strategic challenges, delivered through LiveCases.org.
  • Capsim simulation and AI mini-activities that connect theory with decisions.
  • High engagement, with teaching evaluations of 6.23/7 (Fall 2024) and 6.71/7 (Fall 2025).

My Teaching Philosophy

Engage. Challenge. Empower.

I want students to see management as a system of choices, not a pile of frameworks.

In a curious classroom, the students should leave able to turn messy information into a recommendation, and to notice who is affected by that recommendation—including people who are not in the room.

AI in Teaching

Cases students cannot paste into a chatbot

In COMM401 I developed seven interactive AI cases and eight mini-activities. Students interview characters who each hold part of the file, then defend a recommendation. The same method is now used more widely at Smith through LiveCases.org.

I also teach a hands-on workshop, Coding with AI, for commerce students with no programming background.

Download workshop slides

Also at Smith

Teaching assistant

  • Strategic Management (MBA, MBAS, MBUS, and EMBA with Cornell University)
  • Corporate and Business Strategy
  • Business for Good

Student Feedback

What Students Say

As I look back on the three-month journey of learning, to be honest, initially I did not anticipate that this required Commerce course would provide me with such a memorable and rewarding experience.

COMM401 Student Smith School of Business

I found great value in our in-class discussions and mini-GPT exercises. The mini GPT exercises taught me the power of artificial intelligence and how generative AI can be utilized in decision-making and learning new concepts.

COMM401 Student Smith School of Business

The ChatGPT exercises were a practical way to experiment with these frameworks, reinforcing their application and relevance.

COMM401 Student Smith School of Business

I deeply appreciated the integration of GPT into the course curriculum and content. To me, it represents the future—our generation’s equivalent of the Internet and its revolutionary impact on how we gather and share information.

COMM401 Student Smith School of Business

This course showed me new ways to leverage my interest in data analytics and AI to create impactful business solutions and turn raw data into actionable insights through the many course visualization frameworks.

COMM401 Student Smith School of Business

I assumed Business and Corporate Strategy would follow the pattern of other Commerce courses: introducing strategy frameworks and applying them in hypothetical or simplified scenarios. However, I was surprised by the emphasis on practical, real-world applications. The use of GPT-based assignments, case studies, and AI tools brought a modern and dynamic element to the course, making the material feel relevant.

COMM401 Student Smith School of Business

The live cases gave us experience that no textbook could provide. Working on real company challenges was the highlight of my undergraduate education.

COMM401 Student Smith School of Business

Ali lectured the class with enthusiasm and a positive attitude. I wasn’t always excited to come to class, but when I got there, Ali’s good spirits made me excited to learn and listen.

COMM401 Student Smith School of Business

One of the best professors I have had throughout my entire time at the Smith School of Business. He was always so kind, helpful, and willing to answer any questions or clarify concepts. He made the class fun and interactive, which made me want to attend class and be present.

COMM401 Student Smith School of Business

AI Case Method

Building the Next Generation of Cases

LiveCases.org is the platform behind the AI case method used in COMM401 and across Smith strategy courses. Students interview AI characters who each hold part of the case, then defend recommendations with the evidence they uncovered.

LiveCases.org

Visit LiveCases.org