Interest in AI has surged among prospective MBAs, according to this year’s GMAC Prospective Students Survey.
Globally, 40 percent of respondents selected AI as an essential topic (29 percent in 2022), and in the U.S., 34 percent (22 percent in 2022) did. Millennials were more likely to express interest in AI (44 percent, globally) than Gen Z (38 percent), which the report notes is consistent with millennials’ stronger interest in the tech sector. And men (42 percent) were more likely than women (37 percent) to deem AI essential.
Below, we highlight a few business schools that are integrating AI coursework into their MBA programs.
American University’s Kogod School of Business: Kogod recently announced that they were undergoing a “makeover” to integrate AI skills and concepts throughout the school’s curriculum, operations, and philosophy. This includes bringing in experts from the private sector to ensure faculty and staff have the training and knowledge they need. Additionally, starting in Fall 2024, every student will learn how to use AI as a tool for business deliverables, as well as to navigate AI platforms.
Carnegie Mellon’s Tepper School of Business: The school considers the use of AI and preparing students to engage with this technology as a key component of future-preparation. With faculty already involved in the research and development of AI tools, the school has also sought to embed it within the student experience. Tepper offers new courses specific to AI, and has also integrated AI content into existing courses in other topics, such as ethics.
Johns Hopkins Carey Business School: Carey has included a mandatory AI class in its core curriculum for all FT MBA students since 2021. The course, Data Science: Artificial Intelligence, includes three main components: a foundation in the math and technology underscoring AI, a computational foundation (python), and instruction on using AI for business insights.
Related: Trends in Business: MBA Programs Prepare Students for Leadership Roles in Technology