Archive · 12 Oct 2026
Indian B-Schools Face Pressure to Rethink MBA Education for AI
A survey asked 22 leaders from Indian business schools how artificial intelligence might affect management education.
Nearly three out of four expected AI to bring big changes.
Some schools are still watching what happens or trying AI in small ways.
Many leaders are also concerned that employers want different skills and that demand for traditional MBA degrees may change.
They said schools need to use AI responsibly, update lessons and assessments, and build teachers’ skills.
Most respondents favored international partnerships involving research, faculty exchanges, and industry work rather than student travel alone.
Conference speakers said AI should support human thinking, not replace it.
The survey describes the views of its participants, not every business school in India.
A survey of 22 Indian business-school leaders found 73% expect AI to substantially or fundamentally change management education.
Among those expecting fundamental disruption, nearly 38% said their institutions were observing developments or conducting early experiments.
Changing employer expectations were the leading concern for 59%, while 54% cited shifting demand for traditional MBA degrees.
Respondents identified AI governance, privacy and responsible use (41%), curriculum and assessment redesign (36%), and faculty capabilities (32%) as challenges.
Broad international partnerships were preferred by 91% of respondents, compared with 9% favoring standalone student-mobility programmes.
- Who
- The EFMD x BITSoM survey collected views from 22 Indian business-school deans and academic leaders.
- What
- The report examined expected AI-driven changes, challenges facing management education, and international partnerships.
- When
- The report was released during BITSoM’s inaugural, two-day All-India Deans Conference; no date is stated.
- Where
- The conference took place in Mumbai, India.
- Why
- The survey explored how business schools are responding to AI and changing employment needs.
AI as a Support for Human Judgment
AI as a Driver of Institutional Change
AI’s role in management education
AI as a Support for Human Judgment
Cornell dean Vishal Gaur said AI should strengthen human reasoning, critical analysis and original thought rather than take over strategic judgment.
AI as a Driver of Institutional Change
The survey found that 73% of respondents expect AI to bring substantial or fundamental changes, while nearly 38% of those anticipating fundamental disruption said their institutions were still observing developments or experimenting early.
The MBA’s future
AI as a Support for Human Judgment
BITSoM dean Saravanan Kesavan argued that human judgment and organizational leadership make the MBA structurally insulated from automation.
AI as a Driver of Institutional Change
Survey respondents identified changing employer expectations and evolving demand for traditional MBA degrees as major concerns, at 59% and 54%, respectively.
- Survey respondents
- 22 Indian business-school deans and academic leaders
- Expecting substantial or fundamental AI-driven change
- 73%
- Top concern: changing employer expectations and graduate roles
- 59%
- Concern: changing demand for traditional MBA degrees
- 54%
- Concern: AI governance, data privacy and responsible use
- 41%
- Preferred broad international partnerships
- 91%, compared with 9% for standalone student mobility programmes
- International partner selection
- Institutional reputation: 85%; faculty quality: 80%
- Conference participation
- Academic leaders from more than 30 Indian business schools and institutions overseas
