The rapid development of artificial intelligence and machine learning calls into question the future of the MBA degree, writes admissions consultant Swati Gupta

Top Business Schools Are Adding AI Courses to Their Curricula

AI is brewing up a storm. Generative tools, such as ChatGPT, are making waves in the tech industry and could potentially upend a number of jobs. A recent study from the University of Pennsylvania found that 49% of workers could have half or more of their tasks exposed to large language models like ChatGPT.

The rise of AI has pushed a number of B-schools to update their curricula with courses that equip MBAs with the knowledge and tools to succeed in a generative workforce. Fortune recently highlighted some of the AI courses that top B-schools have added to their MBA curricula.

MIT SLOAN

Last month, MIT Sloan introduced a new generative AI course to its curriculum.

“Embracing the Unexpected: Creative Transformation Amid Rapid Change” focuses on teaching students how to develop skill sets necessary to compete in an AI-driven world.

“Learning how to embrace the unexpected effectively—including the duality and paradox that accompany transformation—is much more than a single course,” Gregersen says. “It’s a lifelong quest that paves a powerful path for creating and recreating meaningful value in companies and communities around the world.”

NYU STERN

NYU Stern has a number of courses covering AI topics.

Stern’s “Introduction to AI & Its Applications in Business” offers students an overview of AI developments, fundamental A.I. concepts, and its practical business applications. Additionally, the B-school’s curriculum includes two AI-focused electives for executive MBAs: “Artificial Intelligence, Automation and the Platform Revolution: Global Perspectives” and “Analytics and Machine Learning.”

NORTHWESTERN KELLOGG SCHOOL OF MANAGEMENT

Kellogg’s curriculum includes several AI-focused courses and the B-school has even developed a an MBAi (MBA in artificial intelligence) program in partnership with Northwestern’s McCormick School of Engineering.

AI courses at Kellogg cover a range of topics such as the importance of AI usage in business, workplace disruptions caused by A.I., and how marketing can change due to AI.

The business school’s MBAi program, developed in 2021, is a 15-month program designed for business leaders who want to learn more about how to operate AI-driven technology. The program includes a technical core that teaches students programming languages and the agile process used in product management.

Sources: Fortune, University of Pennsylvania

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