Arun Rai

Arun Rai serves as Regents’ Professor and Howard S. Starks Distinguished Chair at Georgia State University's Robinson College of Business, where he co-founded and directs the Center for Digital Innovation. His career spans interdisciplinary research bridging information systems with societal impact through industry-university collaborations across global sectors.

His educational foundation includes:

• Ph.D. from Kent State University
• MBA from Clarion University of Pennsylvania
• M.S. from Birla Institute of Technology & Science

Rai's research explores digital innovation, AI governance, and societal impacts of technology through investigations of platform ecosystems, supply chain transformation, and digital solutions for poverty and health disparities. His work uniquely connects technical systems design with behavioral and organizational outcomes across contexts from rural India to global corporations.

Recent publications (2023-2025) reveal intensifying focus on AI-human collaboration, digital risk assessment, and platform governance tensions, with growing emphasis on healthcare applications and equity implications. The trajectory shows evolution from organizational IT adoption toward complex sociotechnical systems addressing global challenges.

His scientific recognition includes:

• Fellow of the Association for Information Systems
• Distinguished Fellow of the INFORMS Information Systems Society
• LEO Award for Lifetime Exceptional Achievement

Rai has mentored over 60 doctoral students (30+ as chair) with alumni now holding leadership positions globally. His research attracts major funding from Apollo Hospitals, China Mobile, IBM, Intel, UPS, and federal agencies, enabling real-world implementations like the Global Supply Chain Solutions Program during UPS's digital transformation. Current initiatives focus on generative AI in education and healthcare IT policy impacts.

As director of the Center for Digital Innovation, he cultivates cross-sector partnerships advancing digital transformation through collaborative research on AI governance, platform ecosystems, and societal impact measurement.