- 78% of business schools have implemented AI into their curriculum, according to new research by GMAC
- The greatest focus has been on AI and ethics, as well as AI decision-making and practical AI applications
- However, only 37% of business schools have a formal AI policy for admissions
2025 is set to be the year that AI becomes unavoidable for industry. According to a report by PWC, integrating AI into the heart of an organisation is “vital”, because in order to make the big leaps necessary to keep them competitive, AI ensures the means to make those leaps as broad as possible – broad enough to make new business models possible, as well as boosting productivity and profits.
The survey showed, amongst other findings, that 73% of execs planned to use Generative AI to make changes to their companies’ business model in the year ahead.
But it’s not only about being able to do more and do it smarter and quicker. As AI is further implemented into the business world, leaders must understand not just how the technology works, but the ethical practices surrounding it too.
This includes ensuring fairness in algorithms or data privacy, and understanding how automative processes can affect human jobs. Being aware of these concerns not only ensures that AI is used responsibly, keeping organisations honest and accountable, but also helps to build trust with employees and customers alike.
The Ethical Debate For AI
However, a recent report by workplace messaging service, Slack, found that although almost a quarter of the U.S. workforce uses AI tools weekly, fewer than half of business leaders have set clear rules for how AI should be used.
This highlights the vital need for leaders to get up to speed on both the practical and ethical aspects of AI to guide their businesses effectively.
Understandably, in response, AI has swiftly become a focal point in business education too. More than three-quarters of business schools now integrate AI into their curricula or learning experiences, according to new research by the Graduate Management Admission Council (GMAC). The findings, revealed in its 2024 Application Trends Survey, shed light on how business schools around the world are recognising and adapting to the transformative potential of AI.
The report highlights three primary ways in which AI is being embedded into learning:
- Incorporating AI in decision-making courses
- Introducing practical AI applications into classrooms
- Exploring AI’s role in society and business ethics
The surge in schools including AI within business education curricula aligns with broader trends in both employer expectations and student interests. GMAC’s 2024 Prospective Students Survey revealed that approximately 40% of candidates now consider AI an essential part of their ideal business school curriculum, which in turn impacts their application activities.
The Growing Demand for AI Skills
To answer this demand, a number of schools have launched AI-focused curricula. Italy’s POLIMI Graduate School of Management for example, created an AI career coach called FLEXA, in partnership with Microsoft. FLEXA analyses student career ambitions, compiles together the best opportunities for them and tells them how to improve their skills, sorting through 800,000 pieces of learning material, from digital courses and webinars to podcasts, articles, and case studies and personalising them to each student.
Over in the US, the Emory University Goizieta Business School created an educational metaverse using AI to support students. Teachers designed doppelgänger avatars that shared their features, voice and mannerisms and created AI scripts to deliver video content in the metaverse.
France’s NEOMA Business School has also utilised metaverse technology and is also using AI to personalise student learning. Using AI, the software sorts students into fast learners and slow learners, which, in turn, allows professors to tailor their learning to different students.
Alain Goudey, Chief Digital Officer and Professor of Marketing at NEOMA Business School said, “The time saved means there’s more human interaction, which is beneficial for teachers and students alike.”
The shift to using AI in the curricula reflects the increasing significance of AI as both a skillset and a point of discussion for the next generation of business leaders.
The surge in schools including AI within business education curricula aligns with broader trends in both employer expectations and student interests. GMAC’s 2024 Prospective Students Survey revealed that approximately 40% of candidates now consider AI an essential part of their ideal business school curriculum, which in turn impacts their application activities.
And such programmes provide an advantage on the jobs market too. GMAC’s most recent Corporate Recruiters Survey highlighted that while current employer demand for AI expertise among GME graduates remains modest, it is expected to rise sharply over the next five years. The report predicts AI will emerge as one of the most critical skills for business leaders of the future.
Regional Variations in AI Adoption
But not all parts of the world see AI the same way. The Application Trends Survey, which includes responses from over 1,000 graduate management programmes across 300 business schools in 40 countries, provides a number of key regional insights when it comes to attitudes toward AI adoption and implementation.
Surprisingly, when it comes to integrating AI into curricula, programmes in Canada, Asia-Pacific, and Europe appear to be slightly ahead of their counterparts in the United States, commonly assumed to be ahead of the curve when it comes to business education.
However, despite the widespread adoption of AI within academic programmes globally, the report found that its use in student admissions processes remains limited. Whereas schools in Asia were found to be leading the charge in using AI within the admissions process, in contrast, European schools were more likely to prohibit its use altogether.
AI in the Admissions Process: A Work in Progress
In an echo of the current industry status quo, 63% of business schools have no formal policy on AI’s role in admissions. One in 20 institutions were found to have embraced AI in admissions, while 8% explicitly prohibit its use. A further 21% adopted a case-by-case approach.
Nalisha Patel, GMAC’s Regional Director for Europe and the Americas, highlighted the need for clear and consistent AI policies within business education. “As AI’s integration into everyday life rapidly accelerates, there is a need for well-defined policies at business schools on these technologies.
“Clear policies not only foster trust but also ensure AI benefits the whole educational landscape equally. Widespread best practices and regulation could really help business schools grapple with this issue,” Patel explained.
Preparing for the Future
As AI reshapes industries and workplaces, business schools are under growing pressure to equip students with the tools to navigate this changing landscape. Whether through ethical discussions, decision-making frameworks, or hands-on applications, the integration of AI into business curricula represents a proactive response to the evolving needs of the global economy.
With AI adoption gaining momentum, business schools have an opportunity to position themselves at the forefront of innovation. However, as the findings above suggest, this transformation also requires clear policies, ethical considerations, and a commitment to preparing students for the AI-driven workplaces of tomorrow.
By, Peter Remon
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