Photo courtesy of Jacob Sosnowski.
Artificial intelligence has come to Cosgrove Hall. St. Ambrose University carried out several campus renovations during the summer of 2024 and installed the 24-hour market located in Cosgrove. AI powers the market. Students place the items they want to purchase on a tray, and then AI scans the items with the help of cameras. In seconds, it creates a list of all the items and charges the students’ school account. This renovation, when performed correctly, allows the campus to have an unmanned convenience store. Students can buy snacks, drinks, or other essentials without leaving campus at any time they want.
SAU finance major Jacob Alexander says, “ I like it, I think it is very convenient. The only thing I don’t like is how some of the items do not scan currently or aren’t in the system… but other than that, I think it is a great addition to our campus.” When asked if he uses it more than Rogo, he said, “Oh yeah, I use it a lot more than Rogo. It’s just easier.”
Accounting major Olivia Arevalo says, “ I absolutely love it. It’s so cool, and it’s so nice not having to leave campus. The only thing I don’t like about it is how sometimes it’s not stocked on the weekends, but I absolutely love that place.”
Jessica, an SAU student studying computer science, added, “I love the market; I love being able to go get snacks when Rogo is closed, or it’s the weekend, and I don’t want to leave campus, or if I’m in the Beehive and need a study snack.”
According to IBM, a collection of AI solutions, “AI has become widespread in recent years and is described as technology that enables computers and machines to simulate human learning, comprehension, problem-solving, decision-making, creativity, and autonomy.”
Like many institutions implementing AI to cut down on costs and add convenience, SAU is no exception. Emeritus, a learning platform that offers AI and machine learning courses and programs, states on its website, “AI algorithms process massive amounts of data, detect patterns, and make accurate predictions without being influenced by emotions, biases, or fatigue. By automating these tasks, AI frees up human workers to focus on more complex and creative tasks that require human skill and judgment.”
Like many things, the introduction of AI has made everyday life on campus more convenient and accessible. SAU’s AI-powered market reflects the technological advancements of our time and enhances the student experience. Saint Ambrose students say they really enjoy the market and the concept behind it. They say they love the that they can buy things at any time of the day without having to leave campus.
Jacob Sosnowski is a staff writer for The Buzz.
