Center for Business Analytics Expands Engagement with Rochester Business Community
The Center for Business Analytics at Saint Mary’s University of Minnesota has remained active throughout the summer, expanding its engagement with businesses, professionals, and community partners across the Rochester area.
Through workshops, presentations, and collaborative events, the Center continues to provide accessible education in business analytics, artificial intelligence, data-informed decision-making, and organizational innovation.
One of the recent major activities (In conjunction to the Master of Science in Business Intelligence and Data Analytics (MSBIDA)) was a four-hour workshop held at Mayo Clinic’s downtown Rochester campus by Dr. Michael Ratajczyk. The session brought together business analysts, data scientists, and other professionals working within education-related (“Education Shield”) areas at Mayo Clinic. Participants explored practical approaches to analytics, artificial intelligence, communication, and decision support while considering how these tools can be applied responsibly within complex organizations.
Additionally, the Center has also continued its growing partnership with the Rochester Area Chamber of Commerce through multiple presentations and community events. These sessions are designed to provide practical, approachable guidance to professionals, business leaders, entrepreneurs, educators, and community members.
On Friday, July 17, 2026, Dr. Michael Ratajczyk will lead an in-person workshop titled “Generative AI in Practice: Tips, Tricks, Techniques, and Traps.” The free session will be held from 10:00 to 11:15 a.m. at 125 Live in Rochester and will serve as the opening presentation in a new series of collaborative events offered through the partnership between the Center for Business Analytics and the Rochester Area Chamber of Commerce.
The workshop will introduce participants to practical and responsible uses of generative artificial intelligence in the workplace. Topics will include tools such as ChatGPT, Microsoft Copilot, Google Gemini, Claude, image-generation platforms, and other emerging technologies.
Participants will explore how generative AI can support writing, brainstorming, summarization, analysis, presentations, creative design, and everyday productivity. The session will also address prompt-writing techniques, methods for comparing AI tools, and common risks such as hallucinated information, poor sourcing, privacy concerns, bias, and overconfidence.
A central theme of the workshop will be the importance of keeping human judgment at the center of AI-supported work. Participants will have opportunities for guided hands-on practice, including testing prompts, revising outputs, and considering how AI tools may support their individual professional needs.
Following the workshop, participants are invited to attend the Rochester Area Chamber of Commerce’s Chamber Weekend Kick Off networking event from 11:30 a.m. to 1:00 p.m. at 125 Live.
The event is part of the CBA x RACC Series, a collaboration designed to provide practical, accessible, and relevant learning opportunities for the Rochester business community.
Additional events are already being planned as the Center continues to expand its regional engagement. Future work will include the launch of a multi-year research project involving organizations throughout Minnesota and the broader Midwestern business community. The project will examine emerging organizational needs and practices related to analytics, artificial intelligence, workforce preparation, and technology adoption.
Through these activities, the Center for Business Analytics continues to connect Saint Mary’s faculty, students, alumni, and academic programs with the needs of businesses and communities throughout the region.
Upcoming Event Information
Generative AI in Practice: Tips, Tricks, Techniques, and Traps
Friday, July 17, 2026
10:00 to 11:15 a.m.
125 Live
125 Elton Hills Drive NW
Rochester, Minnesota
The workshop is free, but registration is required:
https://forms.gle/3Z8YfkKd26b8F9pD9
This is an in-person-only event. A Zoom option will not be available. Participants will receive a certificate of completion by email following the session.
