The Lally School of Management at Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute (RPI) has launched the Lally AI Academy, a 30-day AI-augmented experiential sprint that enables student teams from across campus to design, build, and launch fully functional AI-powered products. No prior coding or computer science background is required. 

Open to students from all five RPI schools, the Academy provides professional grade artificial intelligence tools, cloud computing infrastructure, and hands-on mentorship. Each team additionally receives up to 500 dollars in resources, including makerspace access, to move an idea from concept to deployment. 

The program is structured as a focused, repeatable 30-day build sprint. Student teams manage ideation, planning, execution, iteration, and launch. Along the way, they develop practical skills in resource management, technical communication, collaboration, teamwork, leadership, design thinking, and responsible and ethical artificial intelligence use. Students are encouraged to pivot as they turn ideas into working products while learning how to lead and execute in a technology-driven world. 

The AI Academy reflects Lally’s commitment to integrating business and technology in ways that prepare students to lead innovation across industries. It is designed to strengthen interdisciplinary collaboration across the RPI campus. 

Professor Saggi Nevo, Ph.D., Associate Professor of Business Analytics and Information Systems at the Lally School of Management, oversees the initiative. 

“The Lally AI Academy reflects the kind of hands-on learning we value,” Nevo said. “We want to expand access to state-of-the-art AI tools, augment them with makerspace usage, and make product development possible for students from any discipline. When students build real products, they gain confidence, strengthen their entrepreneurial thinking, learn how to solve problems, and expand their portfolios.” 

Lally Dean Liad Wagman, Ph.D., emphasized that innovation and interdisciplinary collaboration have seen a significant reduction in entry barriers. 

“We created the Lally AI Academy because every student should have the opportunity to tackle real-world challenges,” Wagman said. “You do not need deep technical expertise to innovate and address pain points. Our AI Academy gives students a scalable structure, tools, and support to turn pain points into deployed products.” 

 “Students do not compete against each other or other teams,” Wagman added. “It is a shared, collaborative effort across disciplines. When students learn to build, work under time and resource constraints, and develop teamwork, critical thinking, and soft skills, they are better prepared to lead.” 

The Lally AI Academy is funded through a generous philanthropic gift from an RPI alumnus. It reflects the Institute’s broader commitment to interdisciplinary education, responsible use of artificial intelligence, and entrepreneurial readiness. Each cohort concludes with presentations where student teams demonstrate their live products, share what they learned, and discuss the challenges they addressed. 

The first sprint window opens April 1, 2026. Interested teams can learn more at Lally’s website, apply to participate, and can email LallyData@rpi.edu if they have any questions. 

About the RPI Lally School of Management 

The Lally School of Management at Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute prepares students to lead at the intersection of business and technology. Through rigorous programs, real world projects, and collaboration across disciplines, Lally equips future leaders with the analytical, strategic, and ethical skills required in a rapidly evolving global economy.