🌍 Diversity as a Driver of Innovation

Q: How did the international environment at UIBS, with classmates from diverse backgrounds, shape your perspective on global business and innovation?

At UIBS, I learned that innovation is rarely just a sudden spark or a brilliant idea—it’s the result of bringing together diverse perspectives in a structured way. In our program, I often worked on projects with classmates from very different cultural and professional backgrounds. What amazed me was how a discussion that started with completely opposite viewpoints could, step by step, lead to creative solutions none of us would have reached alone. That international environment didn’t just broaden my understanding of global business—it showed me how true innovation emerges when multiple voices and experiences come together.

🤖 First Encounters with Artificial Intelligence

Q: Which professors, courses, or experiences at UIBS had the greatest influence on your academic interests and professional development?

I still remember my very first course at UIBS, where we explored artificial intelligence. At that time, I had no prior experience with AI, and tools like Generative AI—which make the technology so accessible today—did not even exist yet. This course was my very first encounter with AI, and it completely changed my perspective. Before the class, I had no real understanding of the subject. Afterward, I was able to develop and publish a peer-reviewed paper on the topic.

What impressed me most was that the course was far from a simple lecture. Instead, it gave us the tools and methods to independently explore a completely new field. By working through the topic of AI step by step, I learned how to approach something unfamiliar, break it down, and gain real expertise. That experience shaped me profoundly—it gave me the confidence that I can equip myself with the skills and discipline to master any subject, no matter how foreign it may seem at first.

🕶️ Exploring the Metaverse in Education

Q: What motivated you to explore the Metaverse as a tool for education during your time at UIBS, and what were the most surprising insights you encountered in that research?

My motivation to explore the Metaverse as a tool for education came from a simple question: how can we make learning more immersive and engaging in a digital world? During my doctoral studies, I had the chance to present a paper on “Teaching in the Metaverse,” and it quickly turned into a passion project. What surprised me most was that the Metaverse is not just about flashy technology—it’s about creating new spaces for interaction, collaboration, and inclusivity. I discovered that students who might stay quiet in a traditional classroom often became more engaged and expressive in a virtual environment. That insight taught me that innovation in education is not only about new tools, but about how we design environments that bring out the best in people.

📊 AI, Strategy, and the Role of Human Judgment

Q: In your paper on AI in strategic marketing decision-making, you emphasize trust and human judgment as critical factors—how have you seen these dynamics evolve in real-world business contexts?

In my paper on AI in strategic marketing decision-making, I emphasized trust and human judgment as essential—and I see this becoming even more critical in today’s business practice. We now have access to what feels like an endless stream of data and insights, generated at unprecedented speed. Yet, the challenge is not the lack of information, but our ability as humans to think critically: to question the outputs, interpret the context, and make decisions with accountability.

I often recall a real-world project where an AI model suggested a marketing strategy that looked flawless on paper. However, when we dug deeper, we realized it ignored cultural nuances in a specific market—something only human experience could catch. This is where trust becomes vital: not only trust in data and technology, but also in our colleagues, teams, and decision-makers to bring in the judgment that machines lack. For me, this evolution shows that AI doesn’t reduce the role of human thinking—it amplifies the need for it.

🌱 Lifelong Growth and Advice for Students

Q: Looking back, how has your UIBS experience prepared you for your career, and what advice would you share with prospective students considering UIBS?

Looking back, the UIBS experience opened my perspective in ways I hadn’t anticipated. I began the doctoral program with the intention of gaining a new lens on my professional work—because when you become a deep expert in a field, it’s easy to lose sight of the bigger picture. Through my studies, I learned to step back, to “zoom out,” and to see challenges from new and sometimes unexpected angles.

At the same time, balancing the demands of a doctoral program with a professional career became a powerful exercise in personal growth. It taught me resilience, discipline, and the value of continuously challenging myself beyond my comfort zone. My advice to prospective students would be this: come to UIBS not only to deepen your knowledge, but to broaden your mindset. The program will give you the tools to rethink, reframe, and rediscover your own potential—both professionally and personally.

🎓 Congratulations, Viktoria Mauz, DPhil

Viktoria’s doctoral journey reflects the very essence of UIBS: diversity, innovation, and a global mindset. We are proud to celebrate her achievements and look forward to seeing the impact she will continue to make worldwide.

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