Artificial intelligence is changing the workplace, but its impact is not limited to companies and jobs. It is also changing how students learn and what business schools need to teach.
As AI makes information easier to access, simply knowing facts may no longer be enough. Students will need to know how to use that knowledge, make decisions, solve problems and work with others.
For Dviwesh Mehta, Director – Asia Pacific at Harvard Business Impact, this is where the future of business education is heading.
“The real value of business education shifts from delivering information to helping students develop the essential skills that employers increasingly value and demand,” Mehta said.
AI Is Taking Learning Beyond the Classroom
AI can make learning more personal and practical. Instead of students only listening to lectures or reading course material, technology can help them practise what they have learned, work through real-world situations and get feedback.
Mehta believes this shift can make education more focused on outcomes.
“Students don’t just absorb a concept but apply it, work through decisions, and receive feedback in the moment,” he said.
This is important because the workplace is also changing. Employers are looking for people who can think independently, adapt to new situations and apply their knowledge rather than simply remember information.
The growing demand for practical learning is also visible among students. According to the India Skills Report 2026, around 93% of students want more hands-on and experiential learning opportunities.
For business schools, this creates a clear opportunity to make learning closer to the challenges students will face in their careers.
The Human Skills That AI Cannot Replace
AI can write, analyse information and automate many routine tasks. But it cannot take responsibility for every decision.
That is why skills such as judgment, creativity, communication, collaboration, adaptability and leadership are becoming even more important.
“Leaders of the future will need more than technical expertise,” Mehta said.
He believes future leaders will need to work through uncertainty, understand different viewpoints, think critically and make responsible decisions even when AI is involved.
This also changes what students should expect from business education. A degree may provide knowledge, but students will also need the ability to apply that knowledge in real situations.
At Harvard Business Impact, this thinking has shaped initiatives such as Essential Skill Suites, which focus on skills including navigating change and uncertainty, collaborating productively, and thinking and acting with integrity.
AI Can Make Business Education More Personal
One of the biggest opportunities for AI in education is personalised learning.
Students do not all learn at the same pace or in the same way. AI could help educators understand where learners need more support and provide more relevant learning experiences.
But Mehta believes the technology should support educators rather than replace them.
“The most powerful role of AI is not to replace the educator, but to enhance their ability to create meaningful learning experiences,” he said.
AI can reduce the time educators spend searching for learning material and handling repetitive tasks. This gives them more time to focus on teaching, discussions and individual student needs.
In this model, technology becomes a support system for educators rather than a replacement for them.
The Future of Learning Is About Application
The next phase of business education may therefore be less about adding more content and more about helping students use what they already know.
As AI makes information widely available, the real advantage will come from knowing what to do with that information.
Can a student make the right decision when there is no clear answer? Can they work with a team? Can they question AI-generated information? Can they adapt when circumstances change?
These are the capabilities that could separate future-ready professionals from those who simply know how to use AI tools.
Mehta believes AI has the potential to make business education more engaging, personalised and outcome-driven when combined with trusted academic knowledge and strong teaching.
“The real value of AI isn’t simply the time it saves. It’s what educators can do with that time,” he said.
What AI Means for the Future of Business Education
AI is unlikely to make traditional business education irrelevant. Instead, it is pushing institutions to rethink what effective learning should look like.
Students will still need knowledge. But they will also need critical thinking, leadership, communication, adaptability and sound judgment.
For business schools, the challenge will be to bring these skills into everyday learning through practical experiences, real-world problems and meaningful interaction.
The future of business education, therefore, may not be about choosing between technology and teachers. It could be about bringing the two together.
As AI continues to reshape the workplace, the strongest professionals may not simply be those who know how to use AI. They will be the ones who know when to use it, how to question it and how to make better decisions with it.
