Exploring the Future of AI-Driven Organizations

With the involvement of Corvinus–SEED, long-term corporate partner UNIQA Biztosító and Corvinus University of Budapest have launched a joint research project exploring what it takes for organizations to adopt AI-driven ways of working successfully and responsibly.

The research collaboration agreement was signed on 2 September 2026 by Krisztián Kurtisz, CEO of UNIQA Biztosító and Corvinus-SEED Faculty Member, and Bruno van Pottelsberghe, Rector of Corvinus University of Budapest.

The collaboration focuses on a question that is becoming increasingly important for companies: what happens to organizations when artificial intelligence becomes embedded not only in individual tasks, but in core business processes and ways of working?

Rather than approaching AI primarily as a technology challenge, the research will examine the organizational, leadership and human factors behind successful AI adoption. It will explore how roles and competency requirements evolve, how leadership responsibilities change, what new governance approaches are needed, and how organizations can create the conditions for effective collaboration between people and AI.

Investigating the impact of artificial intelligence is one of the important responsibilities of universities, and Corvinus is committed to being at the forefront of this field. Our joint project with UNIQA reinforces this ambition. Beyond its immediate scope, the outcomes of the research may also provide valuable insights into the future of work, helping us better understand the conditions necessary for successful AI-driven transformation. 

Bruno van Pottelsberghe, Rector of Corvinus University of Budapest

At the heart of the research is NiQA, UNIQA’s AI-powered virtual assistant, which supports automated claims handling processes. NiQA assists the end-to-end claims journey, from claim reporting and document processing to claims assessment, decision-making and, in certain cases, payment execution.

The study, however, goes beyond evaluating a specific technology. Using this real business environment as its starting point, it seeks to understand how AI changes the organization around it: from job roles and capabilities to leadership responsibilities, processes and collaboration between employees and AI.

The collaboration was established with the involvement of Corvinus–SEED, connecting Corvinus University’s academic and research capabilities with UNIQA’s real-world transformation experience. It reflects Corvinus–SEED’s broader role in developing corporate partnerships that bring together academic excellence and executive practice to address real organizational and business challenges. This integrated approach is also central to Corvinus–SEED’s positioning as a capability development partner for organizations.

For UNIQA, the research builds on lessons already emerging from the development and implementation of NiQA.

The successful introduction of artificial intelligence is primarily an organizational and leadership challenge rather than a technological one. The true value of AI lies not merely in performing individual tasks more efficiently, but in its ability to fundamentally reshape how companies operate. Through the development and implementation of NiQA, we have learned that success depends not only on the technology itself, but on how we redesign processes and prepare leaders and employees for new ways of working. This is why our collaboration with Corvinus is particularly important. Through scientific rigor and independent research, it can help identify the human, leadership and organizational factors that underpin the success of AI-driven organizations. 

Krisztián Kurtisz, CEO of UNIQA Biztosító and Corvinus-SEED Faculty Member

The research team is using a mixed-methodology approach combining literature and corporate document reviews, executive interviews, employee focus groups, survey-based research and business impact analysis. The first research reports are expected in autumn 2026.

Ultimately, the collaboration aims to generate evidence-based insights that can support organizations well beyond the scope of this individual project — helping them understand the governance, leadership capabilities and organizational conditions required to turn AI adoption into sustainable business impact.