As artificial intelligence increasingly becomes a learning area in business schools, a new study reveals some of the top artificial intelligence topics schools teach
Only 22% of schools participating in the Graduate Management Admission Council (GMAC) Application Trends Survey said they had not incorporated AI into their teaching. This number increased to about a third among online courses.
The report, which surveyed 1,090 programs at 297 business schools in 40 countries, also found that the majority of b-schools had not yet formalized policies regarding the use of AI in admissions.
Elsewhere, GMAC asked participants how they were responding to the increasing demand for alternatives to traditional education, including non-degree degrees. It found that the majority of schools around the world were offering non-degree options by 2024, with significant variation between regions.
READ: Business School Applications are Growing at Record Levels
Key Artificial Intelligence Topics Revealed
Across the world, 44% of participating business school programs – including MBA and business master’s degrees – taught students topics related to the role of AI in society and business ethics, making it the most common focus area in the b-school curriculum. .
Closely behind were courses that focused on how AI can be used in business to support the decision-making process; 43% of programs covered this topic. Hands-on use of AI within business simulations and practical applications was next, at 42%. Another 41% of programs offered courses focused on the intersection between AI and business strategy.
Other key topics included training in speed writing and the everyday use of AI, as well as using AI to customize students’ learning experiences and allow them to progress at their own pace.
Programs were also asked whether they were working on other applications of AI in the classroom. Suggestions included setting up special AI training courses, extracurricular activities and guest speaker sessions on AI topics.
While most programs had integrated AI into the learning experience, there was some variation around the world, with the report indicating that the US lagged behind other regions such as Canada, Asia Pacific and Europe.
In Canada, 63% of programs focused on business ethics, while in Asia 52% focused on business strategy. Another 60% of programs in Europe focused on the decision-making process, the report highlights.
Share of programs surveyed that integrate the subject into the learning experience (%)
Schools are unclear about the use of artificial intelligence in admissions
In addition to integrating AI into the classroom, GMAC also asked business school programs how they were using AI during their admissions processes. The research showed that 63% of programs had not yet introduced an admission policy for the use of AI.
Some programs indicated they were developing AI eligibility policies, while others showed they had no plans to do so. Overall, only 5% of participating programs said they embraced the use of AI in the business school admissions process. A greater proportion (8%) said they had banned their use.
Another quarter of survey respondents expressed mixed feelings about AI during the recordings. Those who answered “it depends” when asked whether AI could be used gave a number of reasons why it could. These include for coaching or inspiration, and provided they are referenced appropriately; however, respondents emphasized that it could not be used for writing.
Regionally, Asia led the way in actively embracing the use of AI in the admissions process, while European programs had a greater tendency to ban it.
It was also revealed that rankings are a factor, with lower or unranked business schools more likely to ban their use. GMAC indicated that this may have been due to less stringent admissions criteria at these schools, creating a greater need to ensure the quality of applications.
Schools are increasingly offering non-degree education
Recent GMAC research conducted earlier in 2024 found an increasing demand for alternatives to traditional programs among those considering business school. The Application Trends Survey therefore asked programs about their integration of non-degree offerings for students, with 62% responding that they offered such qualifications.
Schools ranked among the top 50 by the Financial Times or U.S. News & World Report were more likely to offer non-degree credentials (including stackable certificates, executive education programs and micro-credentials) than lower-ranked schools.
Meanwhile, Canada (79%) and Europe (73%) were the regions where b-schools were most likely to offer non-degree degrees. In the US, 56% of schools offered these to students, while this figure was only 46% for schools in the Asia-Pacific region. GMAC cautioned that the results in Canada were based on a smaller sample size.
