B-School Deans Love AI — B-School Faculty, Not So Much: Poll

Business school deans are aflutter over so-called generative AI — the kind of AI that encompasses technologies capable of generating content, such as text, images, videos, and other media, in response to prompts — and what it can and does mean for graduate business education.

B-school faculty are more cautious.

A new poll from the Association to Advance Collegiate Schools of Business finds a wide disparity between deans and faculty across several AI-related questions. However, 70% of all respondents agree on one point: that GenAI is rapidly, and likely irrevocably, transforming productivity in higher ed.

Source: AACSB

DEANS ENTHUSIASM IS HIGHER 

The report, titled GenAI Adoption in Business Schools: Deans and Faculty Respond, draws on insights from 236 business school deans representing AACSB member institutions in 56 countries and 429 business school faculty from 321 member institutions in 61 countries. It is based on two surveys conducted by AACSB in October 2024. More than half the deans and faculty surveyed work at schools in the Americas; 75% of deans and 69% of faculty are from AACSB-accredited schools.

Whil they agree on the importance of integrating GenAI across course curricula, research, and teaching, on question after question, B-school deans’ enthusiasm for GenAI eclipses faculties’, presenting challenges for achieving cohesive strategic progress at the institutional level. Among the key findings are that GenAI remains a supplementary tool rather than a core component of most faculty members’ workflows — but those who report higher proficiency with the technology are more likely to integrate it into their work regularly, highlighting the importance of building faculty’s confidence and skills using GenAI.

Faculty report implementing it more frequently in teaching than research, harnessing its content creation and summarization capabilities. The technology is used less frequently for data analysis, with frequent concerns about security and reliability.

Source: AACSB

A ‘RAPIDLY EVOLVING LANDSCAPE’

Data privacy and the risk of plagiarism also remain significant barriers to AI adoption, even as 46% of deans report their schools have implemented AI/GenAI policies. AACSB’s report finds that more clear and actionable guidance is needed, including training to address ethical concerns around GenAI use.

Respondents valued training approaches that combine self-directed learning, through online tutorials and hands-on practice, with structured institutional support. Workshops and seminars are well-received, but low participation in university courses and certifications suggests untapped potential for more robust, credentialed training in GenAI.

“These surveys provide valuable insights into how business schools are navigating the rapidly evolving landscape of generative AI,” says Lily Bi, president and CEO of AACSB. “The enthusiasm and thoughtful engagement from both faculty and deans highlight a collective commitment to preparing future leaders for an AI-driven world. At AACSB, we are dedicated to collaborating with our member institutions to ensure business schools stay at the forefront of AI and GenAI implementation.”

The full report can be viewed on the AACSB website here.

Source: AACSB

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