Dr. Ajay Aluri, a Chambers associate professor and founder of the Hospitality Innovation and Technology Lab, was recently named a top hospitality educator and featured in news coverage across dozens of markets in the U.S.

Aluri’s recognition in the hospitality field reflects his philosophy in the classroom, with a strong focus on preparing students for an industry centered on human interaction that’s also being transformed by technology. 

In July, Aluri was recognized as one of the 2026 IHI Global 100 Most Influential Educators in Hospitality and Tourism by the International Hospitality Institute. The annual global recognition honors educators whose teaching, research, leadership, and industry engagement are advancing hospitality education around the world.

“Education today goes far beyond what happens in the classroom,” Aluri said. “It’s our responsibility to prepare students for the industry, and that industry is changing incredibly quickly.” 

In the Hospitality and Tourism Management program, a key aspect of that preparation is the Nemacolin Hospitality Innovation Technology Lab. The lab goes beyond academic research. Students get opportunities to work directly on industry problems and projects, giving them practical experience.

“Most of the other labs are designed as centers to help with academic research and education, but we are designed to really bridge the gap between industry and academia.” 

Aluri says the program's industry-specific focus allows students to develop a broad range of business skills while preparing specifically for careers and leadership roles in hospitality and tourism. He wants students to understand how technology, including artificial intelligence, can be used strategically while also developing the human skills that remain essential to hospitality.

“I think that human skills are very important: leadership, empathy, creativity and judgment. And that is what technology cannot replace.” 

For Aluri, the future of hospitality isn’t a choice between technology and human interaction. Instead, he sees technology as a tool that can strengthen the human experiences at the center of the industry.

“I think hospitality is entering the AI era. But its future is defined by how well we combine this high tech, which is capabilities of technology and innovation, but with high touch human experiences.”

That perspective has extended beyond the classroom, as Aluri recently shared his expertise on the impact of AI on hotels in an interview with Campus Insights Media. The interview was carried by 77 local news markets, including cities such as Atlanta, Boston, Denver, Los Angeles, and Philadelphia, and resulted in more than 11 million audience impressions.

For Aluri, the widespread coverage was an indication of the growing public interest in how AI will affect various industries.

“It showed that the public is asking the same question.”

As AI becomes increasingly integrated into the hospitality industry, Aluri says questions about the future of jobs, human interaction, and guest experiences will become more important. His research focuses in part on how AI can automate certain tasks while allowing hospitality professionals to place greater emphasis on areas where human skills are most valuable.

For Aluri, the most rewarding part of the recognition is seeing students become leaders and preparing the next generation of hospitality professionals for an industry where AI will play an increasingly prominent role.

“Hospitality has always been about people serving people. AI changes how we deliver hospitality, absolutely, but doesn’t change why hospitality exists in the first place.”

-WVU-

JC 10/5/26

MEDIA CONTACT:

Jacob Comer
Senior Communications Specialist
John Chambers College of Business and Economics
jrcomer@mail.wvu.edu