Preparing MBA Students for Leadership in GenAI Environment: What Educators Need to Know

Generative artificial intelligence (GenAI) is here to stay, as more AI tools are being constantly developed. Can universities help students acquire not only soft skills as future leaders but also an appreciation of value-adding applications of GenAI? Academics are divided about AI value, but employers are mostly not. It is also widely seen that the new generation of MBA graduates are not technical experts, however much they use GenAI.
They must still have interpersonal, collaborative and communication skills. As GenAI frees them from routine tasks, they can take a broader view of organizational needs. Employers still need all-rounders, not just techies. There are challenges for both employers and employees here, and also for the educators who are arguably serving both markets. This paper examines the challenges on these three sides, and includes a practical example of the application of GenAI in this awareness-building process. It concludes with suggestions for employers, educators and students, noting that the demand for potential leaders has not changed—but the working environment has.