How AI Is Reshaping The MBA: Major New Report Offers The Clearest Picture Yet Of A Dramatically Changed Landscape

How AI Is Reshaping The MBA: Major New Report Offers Clearest Picture Yet Of A Dramatically Changed Landscape

Artificial intelligence has become a central pillar of graduate business education, according to the 2025 Graduate Business Curriculum Summary Report released today (April 1) by the Graduate Business Curriculum Roundtable, as business schools respond to rapid technological advancement and evolving workforce needs.

Drawing on data from 110 B-schools and 245 graduate business programs, the report reveals that AI has emerged as a critical component across core instruction, analytics, and leadership training — not only shaping specialized coursework but also increasingly embedded in how core disciplines like strategy, operations, and ethics are taught.

“Schools are not only retaining disciplinary rigor but are intentionally linking it to leadership, ethics, and analytics — skills needed to lead in today’s business environment,” says Jeff Bieganek, executive director of the Roundtable, in a news release accompanying the report. “AI is now a key part of that skill set.”

Source: GBC

The report finds that at the heart of the shift to AI is the Enterprise Analytics cluster — a curriculum grouping that emphasizes data and business analytics and their integration with leadership, ethics, and operations. Programs increasingly use AI tools to enable data-driven decision-making, predictive modeling, and accountability in leadership.

Beyond specific analytics courses, AI is showing up across disciplines. Finance, marketing, and operations are now taught with AI-enabled simulations and real-time data platforms. Many schools have launched new courses or certificates in AI and machine learning, while others are embedding AI case studies and tools into traditional business subjects.

Respondents to the survey also placed AI Innovation and Sustainable Enterprise at the top of a list of emerging disciplines that should be emphasized in the future. This thematic cluster combines AI with sustainability, ESG, and entrepreneurial innovation — signaling a broader shift toward technology-enabled, socially conscious business leadership.

Source: GBC

BROAD SHIFTS IN CURRICULUM & DELIVERY

The 2025 Graduate Business Curriculum Summary Report is part of a multi-part benchmarking initiative by the Graduate Business Curriculum Roundtable. Participating schools receive comprehensive data reports and benchmarking tools to compare with peer institutions.

In addition to content innovation, the report highlights widespread transformation in how business education is structured and delivered, including:

Flexible, modular pathways: Schools are moving away from rigid degree tracks toward stackable credentials and micro-credentials that allow for personalized learning journeys.
Online-first and hybrid models: More than 40% of MBA and Master’s programs are now delivered through online or hybrid formats, with flexibility and accessibility cited as top priorities.
Emphasis on real-world learning: Experiential learning, including live consulting projects and simulations, is becoming central to pedagogy. AI tools are increasingly used to support scenario-based learning and decision training.
Increased focus on soft skills: Despite the rise of technology, schools are doubling down on human-centered skills — such as communication, emotional intelligence, and ethical leadership — to balance technical fluency.

Source: GBC

The report draws on curriculum data submitted by 110 business schools between November 2024 and February 2025. The institutions contributed detailed information on 245 graduate business programs, representing more than 112,000 enrolled students across 913 degree offerings and supported by nearly 8,000 full-time-equivalent faculty.

The study’s respondents represent a diverse mix of public and private institutions, urban and rural campuses, and large and small programs. Nearly every school offers an MBA, while about half also provide specialized master’s programs in business analytics, finance, and accounting.

Key facts about MBA and other programs at the schools responding to the survey:

Full-time MBA programs remain the most common, with 66% lasting two or more years.
57% of MBA programs use a cohort model, especially in full-time formats.
The average MBA devotes 67% of curriculum to required courses, while executive MBAs require up to 82% core content.
Business master’s programs are typically shorter, more specialized, and often offered in self-paced formats.

The report doesn’t shy away from the hurdles schools face. Key barriers include faculty resistance to change, institutional inertia, and the challenge of aligning academic content with industry expectations. In response, many institutions are:

Investing in faculty development to support AI integration and digital pedagogy.
Partnering with industry to ensure real-world relevance and input into course design.
Using curriculum analytics to evaluate outcomes and optimize program design.

A principal component analysis identified six major categories of institutional challenge — from “Evolving Demands” and “Keeping Pace” with technological change, to “Ensuring Curriculum Cohesion” across diverse formats.

On the opportunity side, business schools are leaning into industry-faculty partnerships, curriculum optimization using learning analytics, and collaborative networks to enhance effectiveness without expanding credit requirements.

Survey respondents overwhelmingly agree that the role of AI in business education will only expand over the next decade — and business schools that fail to adapt risk becoming obsolete.

“AI is expected to influence both what is taught and how it is taught,” the report states. “AI-driven decision-making, automation of learning, and real-world applications in business decision-making will be central to curricula.”

Schools are also preparing for a future where flexibility, accessibility, and personalization define the student experience. Stackable credentials, interdisciplinary collaboration, and ethical leadership training are shaping a new model of business education.

As one respondent summarizes: “The business school of the future will be defined by agility, industry integration, and a relentless focus on relevance.”

To request the full report or learn more about the Graduate Business Curriculum Roundtable, visit gbcroundtable.org.

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How AI Is Reshaping The MBA: Major New Report Offers The Clearest Picture Yet Of A Dramatically Changed Landscape

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