U of A students are using extended reality technology to transform retail education
At the University of Arizona, retailing and consumer science students are using AI and extended reality (XR) to study consumer behavior in entirely new ways. Through a full-scale digital twin of the Lundgren Consumer Science Lab, developed by the university’s AI Core program, students interact with realistic, data-driven virtual environments.
The digital twin, built with advanced scanning technologies and Unreal Engine, allows students to analyze shopper behavior, test merchandising strategies, and engage with an AI-powered cashier named Andre. Led by student developer Denisse Guerra, this initiative blends AI, XR, and real-world data to prepare students for the future of retail.
By integrating immersive technology and AI-driven insights, the University of Arizona is setting a new national benchmark for retail education.