The objective of the Business AI and Analytics Center (BAIAC) is to promote business in research and applications with a view to inform practice in the broad area of data analytics and artificial intelligence.

The Centre is aligned with the North East AI Growth Zone, a regional initiative that brings together large-scale AI infrastructure, industry, and academic research. Within this context, BAIAC contributes through research in artificial intelligence, data analytics, and information systems, and through collaboration with regional and international partners. This creates opportunities to connect theoretical work with emerging compute capabilities and real-world applications.

BAIAC works with researchers, practitioners, businesses, professional bodies, policymakers, and standard setters to assess the benefits and value creation of the utilization of innovative technologies, techniques, and tools, and to address barriers and restrictions to wider implementation in the business landscape.

Furthermore, BAIAC is a truly cross departmental research community with established researchers in AI and data analytics in accounting, finance, economics, management, marketing and operations management and wider to other disciplines such as computer science, mathematics, physics, engineering and psychology.

BAIAC is home to the Durham Rutgers Accounting Analytics Network (DRAAN) Lab, which builds on the successful international research collaboration between Durham and Rutgers University. DRAAN Lab has provided various opportunities to work with world class researchers and practitioners in areas related to contemporary technologies, data and text analytics relevant to the accounting and auditing profession.