Selected media coverage, interviews, and profiles.

Press Inquiries

For media inquiries, interviews, or speaking engagements:

Academic: bigdog@illinois.edu
Consulting: principal@innodative.com

Selected Media

Articles & Interviews

2025

"Illini Insider | The future of AI: In the home, on the battlefield, in space, sports and beyond"
News-Gazette
June 30, 2025
Interview on the future of artificial intelligence and its societal impacts.
Read article

2024

"What Happened to Blockchain?"
Illinois Soy Magazine
May 2024
Discussion of blockchain technology's evolution, AI integration, and applications in agriculture and supply chain management.
Read article

2023

"Podcast: Gies Chief Disruption Officer Robert Brunner"
Gies College of Business
August 16, 2023
Podcast interview on artificial intelligence, blockchain, and futuristic technologies in business education.
Listen to podcast

"Illini Insider: Brunner on AI, the future of technology"
News-Gazette
December 12, 2023
Discussion on artificial intelligence and emerging technology trends.
Read article

"Q&A: What impact will the Biden administration's AI order have?"
Tech Xplore
November 17, 2023
Discussion of AI executive order policy implications and regulatory concerns.
Read article

"Illini Insider: Business professor creates AI version of himself to teach class"
News-Gazette
November 16, 2023
Feature on creating an AI avatar for teaching online MBA courses.
Read article

"Innovation: Using Faculty Avatars & AI In An MBA Classroom"
Poets&Quants
October 31, 2023
In-depth feature on avatar-based teaching and AI course design.
Read article

"Illinois Business Professor Creates AI Double to Teach Class"
GovTech
November 17, 2023
Coverage of AI avatar teaching methods and implications for online education.
Read article

"Implementing AI Technology in Business Education"
AACSB Insights
November 2023
Discussion of AI integration in business curricula and pedagogical implications.
Read article

"Implementing AI Technology in Business Education"
Crain's Chicago Business
2023
Article on AI integration in business education curricula.
Read article

"What's the transformative potential of artificial intelligence?"
Gies College of Business
May 17, 2023
Interview on AI's potential impact across industries and implications for education and workforce.
Read article

"Illinois professor addresses concerns, benefits of AI"
Fox Illinois
June 2, 2023
Video interview discussing AI's capabilities, concerns, and transformative potential.
Watch interview

"Can AI replace you? An Illinois professor created his digital avatar for his online class"
GMI Post via LinkedIn
February 8, 2023
Feature on AI avatars and the future of online education.
Read post

2022

"What's the business potential of the metaverse?"
Illinois News Bureau
November 17, 2022
Interview on the metaverse, augmented reality, and transformative potential for businesses and training.
Read article

"What explains the cryptocurrency crash?"
Tech Xplore
July 8, 2022
Analysis of cryptocurrency market dynamics and boom-bust cycles.
Read article

"What's the potential of blockchain technology?"
Tech Xplore
July 14, 2022
Discussion of blockchain applications in business, healthcare, and government.
Read article

"Harnessing the true potential of blockchain technologies"
ELETIMES
2022
Article on blockchain technology applications and implementation.
Read article

2021

"Disruption and Innovation at Gies Business"
Poets&Quants
May 25, 2021
Feature on the Chief Disruption Officer role and innovation initiatives at Gies.
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"From Astrophysicist to Accounting Professor: Brunner Disrupting Future of Business Education"
Poets&Quants for Undergrads
2021
Profile on career transition from astrophysics to business education and the disruption philosophy.
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"Disruption marches on through skunk works at Gies"
Gies College of Business News
June 8, 2021
Coverage of innovation initiatives and the Chief Disruption Officer role.
Read article

2019

"Gies creates new dean position"
The Daily Illini
February 7, 2019
Announcement of appointment as Associate Dean for Innovation and Chief Disruption Officer.
Read article

Work Featured In

2025

"My Avatar Teaches In Any Language': Inside Gies' Radical AI-Driven Curriculum Revolution"
Poets&Quants (originally AACSB Insights)
October 22, 2025
Feature by Dean Brooke Elliott discussing AI-driven business education and avatar-based instruction at Gies.
Read article

2024

"Adapting the Curriculum for the Future of Business"
AACSB Insights
April 2024
Article by Dean Brooke Elliott discussing curriculum innovation and AI implementation at Gies.
Read article

Profiles & Directories

CNBC Disruptor 50 Academic Advisory Board
CNBC
May 6, 2024
Member profile and advisory role.
View profile

Instructor Profile
Coursera
Teaching profile for AI and business courses reaching global audiences.
View profile

Meet Professor Robert Brunner
LinkedIn / Coursera
April 9, 2025
Social media feature promoting Coursera courses.
View post