The projects are part of two courses: Application of Artificial Intelligence in Business (Information and Business Systems program, Artificial Intelligence in Business module) and Business Decision Making (Economics of Entrepreneurship program). In these courses, students apply knowledge from two different fields to tackle real business challenges identified by FOI’s partner companies: SICK and Emil Frey Digital.
At the start of the summer semester of the 2025/2026 academic year, Marko Mrkonjić and Hrvoje Aničić from SICK, along with Renato Punčec from Emil Frey Digital, presented case studies to students, which will serve as project assignments. Students will work in interdisciplinary teams on problems these companies face daily, combining IT and economic approaches to find solutions. The teams are tasked with proposing solutions to assigned problems: students from the Information and Business Systems program focus on data analysis and model development, while students from the Economics of Entrepreneurship program develop and evaluate solution alternatives and create a marketing strategy for the selected solution.
Students are supported throughout the process by FOI faculty mentors: Prof. Nina Begičević Ređep, Prof. Sandra Lovrenčić, Assoc. Prof. Dijana Oreški, Assist. Prof. Dino Vlahek, and Tena Jagačić, M.Sc. Econ., while company experts provide additional guidance and practical advice.
Through this work-based learning approach, students develop today’s most sought-after skills: critical thinking, agile decision-making, teamwork, communication, and presentation abilities. The interdisciplinary approach allows them to immediately apply their knowledge in a real business context, integrating the use of artificial intelligence in business with economic decisions and business strategy.
We sincerely thank our partner companies for their collaboration and valuable contribution, which enables students to develop their skills and gain experience through real projects, preparing them for their future careers!
