78% of business schools integrate AI into their curricula
Per the latest GMAC report
A new Graduate Management Admission Council (GMAC) report reveals that 78% of business schools have incorporated Artificial Intelligence (AI) into their curricula or learning experiences.
The study highlights the growing importance of AI in education as business schools worldwide seek to prepare students for a rapidly changing business environment.
The GMAC research by the Virginia, US-based organisation indicates that the most common approach to integrating AI centres around exploring its societal implications and business ethics, with 44% of schools adopting this focus. This is closely followed by AI’s application in decision-making courses (43%) and the inclusion of practical AI applications in the classroom (42%).
The findings come from GMAC’s annual Application Trends Survey, which examines global trends in graduate management education. The survey covers over 1,000 business school programmes across nearly 300 schools in 40 countries. The report also looks at trends such as application growth, the impact of financial aid, and applicant profiles.
Regionally, there are notable differences in how AI is being incorporated. Asian business schools are likelier to use AI in admissions, whereas European institutions tend to prohibit it.
However, Canadian, Asia-Pacific and European schools are slightly more inclined to include AI in their curricula than their American counterparts.
Despite the widespread integration of AI into educational programmes, the use of AI in admissions remains limited. The GMAC study reveals that 63% of business schools have no clear policy on AI in the admissions process. Only 5% of institutions use AI during admissions, while 8% have banned it entirely. A further 21% of schools have adopted a case-by-case approach to AI use in admissions.
Nalisha Patel, GMAC’s Regional Director for Europe and the Americas, emphasised the need for clear policies regarding AI in business schools. She stated, “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 foster trust and ensure AI benefits the educational landscape equally.” Patel further suggested widespread best practices and regulations could help institutions navigate these challenges.
AI also emerged as a key theme in other GMAC reports released this year. The 2024 Prospective Students Survey showed a significant increase in candidates who believe AI is essential to a business school curriculum, with 40% of prospective students now citing AI as a crucial element.
Meanwhile, the 2024 Corporate Recruiters Survey revealed that employers are not yet overly concerned with graduates’ AI knowledge but expect the skill to be highly valuable in the next five years. As AI becomes increasingly important, it will likely be one of the most sought-after competencies for future business leaders.
With the rapid rise of AI, it is clear that business schools worldwide are adapting to the needs of a digital future, equipping students with the skills necessary to thrive in a tech-driven business environment.
Hero image: Asian business schools are likelier to use AI in admissions, whereas European institutions tend to prohibit it. Credit: George Pak
