Researching the global digital divide

The journey for University of Redlands’ School of Business & Society alumnus Owen Giron ’23 didn’t end when he graduated with his Master of Science in Business Analytics (MSBA). Instead, it evolved into a powerful research collaboration with faculty members Avijit Sarkar and James Pick. Together, they are studying the global digital divide and AI (artificial intelligence) readiness across 137 countries using GIS technology, offering insights into the implications of rapid technological advancement.

A lifelong learner

“I truly love being in the classroom setting, and being a lifelong learner is something I am passionate about,” Giron said. From his days as an undergraduate, he aspired to expand his opportunities through graduate education. Choosing U of R for its emphasis on ethics, close-knit community, and faculty who go above and beyond, Giron recalls his early connection with Sarkar, describing him as “one of the best professors” he’s ever had. “He truly cares about the personal and professional development of his students.”

Balancing challenges and triumphs

While pursuing his degree, Giron balanced two jobs and a rigorous course load, including technical classes like Python coding. Office hours and faculty mentorship played a critical role in his success. Despite these challenges, he maintained a strong academic record and even secured a research assistant position that led to an unexpected milestone—delivering a presentation at USC’s Geospatial Summit in 2023.

“I was surprised by the fact that I was able to speak to an audience of seasoned professionals and students on topics that I was fairly new to and proud to grasp some very technical concepts,” Giron said.

Research with a global impact

Giron’s collaboration with Professors Sarkar and Pick centers on the Network Readiness Index dataset from the Portulans Institute and the Saïd Business School at the University of Oxford. The project examines how countries are positioned in terms of AI readiness and the digital divide.

“Now that we live in such a global economy, I believe it's important to recognize how other countries view technology,” Giron said. This work ties back to lessons from his time at Redlands, specifically a data ethics course that sparked his curiosity and concern about the legal and ethical implications of integrating AI in the workplace and education. “I hope to share research results with the broader education community, especially as countries heavily invested in AI will be dominant players in the coming years.

“I recently came across an article about how the United States wants to outcompete China in the race for AI dominance. It makes me question if other “non-superpower” countries will ever catch up in the AI race or not.”

Preparing personally and professionally

For Giron, U of R has become a place where education meets opportunity, and faculty mentorships can be cultivated during classroom conversation. His advice for those interested in graduate education is simple, “put in your best effort and rely on your network—you may be surprised at the results.”

Learn more about the Master of Science in Business Analytics.