‘STEMB’ Is The New Strategy: Why Tech-Linked MBAs Are Shaping The Future Of Business

Stanford Graduate School of Business

Established: 1925 (Stanford Graduate School of Business), 1885 (Stanford University)

Location: Stanford, California, U.S.

Graduate Courses In: Climate Tech for Rapid Decarbonization, Neuroscience and the Connection to Sustained Excellence, Understanding AI Technology for Business Problems

Now celebrating its Centennial, Stanford GSB is not only marking the occasion by reflecting on 100 years of driving innovation, but by casting its gaze ahead to the next century.

Developing entrepreneurial minds capable of innovation and industry transformation has been at the core of a Stanford education since the GSB was established. In the 2023 QS ranking of top MBAs by career specialization, Stanford leads for Entrepreneurship and Technology, and is top three for Information Management.

Given the GSB’s location in the heart of Silicon Valley, it’s hardly surprising that technology and entrepreneurship are built into Stanford’s DNA. Names of tech sector heavyweights like Gates, Hewlett, and Packard are literally etched into the buildings of the Stanford University campus.

The business school is home to a STEM-designated MBA and MSc in Management, with core offerings that provide a grounding in using technology and mathematics to interpret data and inform strategic decision-making.

The Data and Decisions module on the MSc in Management is one such example, exploring how an understanding of statistics and quantitative reasoning can help students make sound decisions during uncertainty.

On the MBA program, the Organizational Analytics module teaches students how to use machine learning and network analysis to address a broad range of organizational challenges, from employee retention to managing workplace culture.

“We added two new electives this year to equip students with practical artificial intelligence and machine learning knowledge for solving real-world business problems,” explains Paul Oyer, Stanford GSB senior associate dean for academic affairs.

“Understanding AI Technology for Business Problems equips students with practical AI knowledge to solve business problems – a student described it as the “perfect blend of technical concepts and business applications. On the less technical side, we are adding a new class next year called Designing AI to Cultivate Human Well-Being.

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