By Dr Akhter Mohiuddin Rather
The time has come to acknowledge that Artificial Intelligence (AI) is no longer a specialised tool confined to technology companies. It has become a force that is rewriting the way businesses create value, engage customers, and design their strategies. From the invisible infrastructure that powers global supply chains to AI agents that behave like digital colleagues, the Generative AI (Gen-AI) ecosystem is shaping a new business reality. For B-schools in India, and indeed management institutions across the globe, this shift a stark reality: Future managers will not be merely asked to “use AI” but to redesign entire business models around it. Preparing students for this reality is now as important as teaching finance, marketing or strategy.Over the past few years, a clear shift has been observed in student learning behavior. Many learners now rely on AI tools even for basic tasks such as drafting emails, completing assignments, or working on projects. While these tools can be useful, they can also lead to mistakes and, more importantly, discourage deep thinking and genuine learning when used without understanding. Only a small section of students makes the effort to understand the models and algorithms that operate behind these tools. This distinction is critical. Tools are transient, they evolve rapidly and often become obsolete. Skills limited to specific tools will always require frequent upgrading. In contrast, knowledge of core concepts builds intellectual resilience and long-term capability. From invisible infrastructure to boardroom impact
At the base of this transformation is something most students never see but everyone depends on upstream industry chain infrastructure. These are the chips, cloud servers, and logistics systems that power AI. Just as factories needed electricity to produce on a scale, businesses today need GPUs and cloud platforms to run foundation models with billions of parameters. This foundation is not just technical plumbing. It sets the stage for how fast and how far companies can innovate. For B-schools, this highlights a key lesson: understanding technology infrastructure is no longer the job of engineers alone.Foundation models: The new cornerstones of innovation
On top of this infrastructure sit foundation models, large AI systems like GPT that can be adapted for countless purposes. They are the architectural backbone of today’s AI revolution: enabling applications across finance, healthcare, marketing and operations. For management students, this means moving beyond buzzwords. Leaders must learn to evaluate foundation models critically: which ones are cost-effective, how they can be customized, and where ethical guardrails are needed. In other words, B-schools need to prepare students to treat AI models the way MBAs once treated global supply chains, as strategic assets.
Knowledge at your fingertips: Cloud-integrated intelligence
Another major frontier is knowledge querying based on cloud solutions. Imagine a manager asking a question, “What are the latest market shifts in renewable energy?”, and an AI instantly scanning vast databases to deliver precise insights. This fusion of cloud computing and data analytics is already reshaping decision-making. This isn’t just convenience. It represents a paradigm shift in how leaders access and act on information. For B-school classrooms, it underlines the need to train students in asking better questions, curating data responsibly, and using AI-driven insights to make smarter, faster decisions.
Content creation: The new language of business
Where AI gets most visible, and exciting, is in content creation. From drafting marketing campaigns and producing videos to generating interactive reports, AI is giving businesses tools to engage customers in entirely new ways. But here’s the catch: AI content isn’t just about efficiency. It’s about personalization on a scale. Companies can tailor messages to specific demographics, regions, and even individual preferences. For students of marketing and communications, this signals a massive shift. The future of brand management won’t be about one-size-fits-all campaigns but about orchestrating millions of micro-narratives powered by AI.
AI agents: Digital colleagues in the making
At the top of the AI curve lie AI agents, autonomous systems that don’t just provide answers but perform tasks, automate workflows, and interact with customers. Imagine a customer service desk run by an AI that understands context, remembers preferences, and resolves issues without human intervention. For management education, this is perhaps the most radical shift. The question is no longer “Will AI replace jobs?” but “How will managers design organizations where humans and AI agents collaborate effectively?” Leadership, empathy, and governance will matter more than ever, but so will the ability to integrate AI into everyday business processes.
Incremental vs. Radical Innovation: The Dual Play
One of the most powerful insights from the Gen-AI ecosystem is that it doesn’t just enable incremental innovation, small improvements to existing models, but also radical innovation, where entirely new ways of doing business emerge. For example, incremental gains might involve using AI to cut costs in logistics or speed up report writing. Radical shifts, however, could mean launching entirely AI-powered service platforms or reimagining industries like healthcare, education, or retail. B-schools must prepare leaders for both. Tomorrow’s executives need to master cost-saving efficiencies and disruptive innovation. The ability to navigate this duality will define who thrives in the AI-driven economy.
What this means for b-schools
- Management students must move beyond the assumption that AI belongs solely to engineers. A working understanding of models, algorithms, and basic coding is becoming essential for managers to design AI-driven strategies, ask the right questions, and avoid being reduced to passive users of technology. Those who invest in these fundamentals will clearly stand apart in an increasingly crowded talent market.
- AI literacy must move from electives to the core. Finance, marketing, HR, and operations all need AI-infused case studies.
- Students must learn to work across technology and business boundaries. An MBA who understands both cloud infrastructure and consumer behavior will be far more valuable than one who doesn’t.
- AI brings risks, from data bias to misinformation. B-schools must train leaders not just to exploit AI’s potential but to use it responsibly.
- Partnering with tech firms, startups, and policymakers will be crucial to keep curricula relevant and hands-on.
The road ahead
AI is not just another wave of technology, it is a new operating system for business. From the invisible power of infrastructure to the personalized touch of AI agents, it is rewriting how value is created and delivered. For B-schools, the lesson is stark: adapt fast or risk irrelevance. As AI reshapes industries, the leaders of tomorrow will need to do more than understand balance sheets. They will need to understand algorithms, data ecosystems, and the human-AI partnership. If management education rises to this challenge, it will not only stay relevant but also help shape the responsible, innovative future that AI promises.
Dr Akhter Mohiuddin Rather is the Associate Professor, Data Sciences, Great Lakes Institute of Management, Gurgaon.
DISCLAIMER: The views expressed are solely of the author and ETEDUCATION does not necessarily subscribe to it. ETEDUCATION will not be responsible for any damage caused to any person or organisation directly or indirectly.
