‘Job Opportunities Abound’: B-School Profs Share Insights From The Paris AI Action Summit

Professor Pinnaree Tea-makorn is the AI Strategist at Sasin School of Management, Thailand, where she oversees the adoption and implementation of the school’s AI initiatives and guide students in implementing effective AI strategies.

1. What were the main outcomes of the summit?

The recent AI Action Summit in Paris marked a pivotal moment in global AI development, with significant implications for business education. As a representative of Sasin School of Management, I can share our perspective on the summit’s outcomes and their impact on business education.

Pinnaree Tea-makorn

The summit demonstrated unprecedented financial commitment to AI development, with over €300 billion pledged, including €150 billion from the EU’s “AI Champions” initiative and €109 billion from France. Beyond funding, the summit highlighted three critical developments: the establishment of 12 AI factories across the EU to accelerate AI deployment, ongoing debates about regulatory frameworks, and calls for global cooperation in establishing fair AI regulations. India’s Prime Minister Modi notably emphasized his country’s success in building cost-effective digital infrastructure and its emergence as an AI talent hub.

2. What does this mean for the skills and knowledge B-school students need to develop

These developments underscore the evolving skill requirements for business school graduates. The summit’s outcomes suggest that tomorrow’s business leaders need a unique blend of technical understanding and ethical leadership capabilities. At Sasin, we recognize that while AI enhances decision-making, human judgment and ethical leadership remain paramount. Our approach focuses on developing leaders who are not just tech-savvy but also purpose-driven and equipped to navigate an AI-enhanced business landscape.

Business schools must prepare students to:

• Understand AI’s strategic implications while maintaining focus on ethical considerations, including privacy, bias, and workforce transformation
• Develop capabilities in AI-driven decision-making while exercising sound judgment
• Balance technological innovation with sustainable and responsible business practices
• Navigate complex regulatory environments as AI governance frameworks evolve globally

3. Where is business education on the adoption of AI in teaching, research, and ops?

Business schools are at various stages of AI integration across teaching, research, and operations. At Sasin, we’ve structured our approach around three pillars: internal operations enhancement, core curriculum integration, and external ecosystem building. This framework might serve as a useful model for other institutions.

In terms of concrete initiatives, we’ve established an on-campus “AI corner” accessible to all stakeholders, launched executive education programs titled, Gen AI Demystified, and created an AI Action Learning Lab for our MBA students. Looking ahead, our strategy includes AI-assisted teacher support systems, data-driven curriculum development, and enhanced analytical capabilities for educational insights.

Research and corporate engagement are evolving as well. We’re developing frameworks to map corporate AI adoption and creating an AI competitiveness index. This research informs our curriculum design, ensuring it addresses real-world needs across leadership levels – from strategic vision to technical implementation.

The summit’s outcomes also reinforce the fact that business schools must position themselves as both adopters and shapers of AI transformation. Success requires collaboration across stakeholder networks, including alumni, corporate partners, and through our various centers and units: Asian Family Enterprise & Entrepreneurship Center, Sasin Japan Center, China Business Center, Sasin Asian Case Creation Center, and Sasin Management Consulting. Most importantly, while embracing AI’s potential, business education must maintain its focus on developing mindful, sustainability-conscious leaders who can harness AI responsibly.

As we move forward, the challenge for business schools isn’t just about teaching AI technology – it’s about preparing leaders who can leverage AI while upholding ethical principles and driving sustainable business practices. This balanced approach will be crucial in navigating and shaping tomorrow’s complex, interconnected world.

Next page: Louis-David Benyayer, Associate Professor and AI Initiatives Coordinator at ESCP Business School