IDEA Lab

Transforming IDEAs into Human and Technological Impact

We are revolutionising learning and empowering visionary leaders through AI and other emerging technologies. 

Collaborating across industries and regions, we create adaptive, personalised and immersive experiences that increase accessibility and prioritise the human experience.

Established in 2005, the IDEA Lab team at Imperial College Business School is leading the way in global business education, using Innovation, Digital Education, and Analytics to unlock learner potential.

1st
in the World (Global Online MBA, QS rankings 2024)
12
global awards won since 2010
80
online modules developed
20
years of Digital Education leadership

Innovation

We develop, implement and evaluate pioneering educational technologies and pedagogies. This includes actively experimenting with emerging technologies such as AI, VR and learning analytics to drive innovation.

Online and Blended Programmes

We partner with Imperial College Business School’s world class academics to develop two fully online MBA programmes and two part-time Masters programmes. 

Our online programmes are delivered via The Hub, the dynamic online learning environment first designed and continually enhanced by the IDEA Lab team.  

Latest news

Machine learning for finance
News

Listen: Times Higher Education podcast interviews Monica Arés about artificial intelligence and extended reality in education

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Monica Ares
News

Wired speaks to Executive Director of the IDEA Lab Monica Arés on the positive use of deepfakes in higher education

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Education artificial intelligence concept
Knowledge

How AI and XR can transform education and create a new dimension of learning

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Awards

The IDEA Lab has won numerous awards since launching in 2005, securing our position as a world-leader in education technology

Gold

VR / AR - QS Reimagine Education Awards, 2019

Gold

Business School Innovation - AMBA Excellence Awards, 2020

Silver

FOME Learning Design Innovation Awards 2023

Partners

Our partnerships are key to our success. As well as working alongside Imperial College London’s Digital Media Lab and Executive Education teams, we partner with a range of educational and technological pioneers to ensure global reach and continuous innovation. 

Meet the team

In the IDEA Lab, ideas are our currency. We're a diverse team of creative thinkers, curious technologists and passionate educators. We love to collaborate, experiment and learn together. 

If you’re interested in joining the IDEA Lab team, you’ll find our job openings on the Imperial jobs site.

Monica Ares

Monica Arés, Executive Director

Monica is a leading expert in innovation and immersive technology, whose roles across technology and education solidify her as a leader in the global technological landscape. Her pioneering work in building new tools with XR and AI technology has made strides in fostering lifelong learning, curiosity and the quest for innovation with the goal of increasing access to education and transforming the way we learn. As the former Head of Immersive Learning at Meta and a visionary leader on Interactive Learning Labs at Amazon, Monica has become a seminal figure in the field of immersive education.