AI Survey 2024 - the rise of large language models in education reveals widespread adoption of AI tools and highlights ethical concerns among business school leaders

Key Findings:

• Widespread use in personal and professional spheres: A significant 71% of business school leaders report using ChatGPT in their personal lives, while 78% use it professionally. Leaders are increasingly using AI for tasks ranging from idea generation and classroom support to translation and copywriting.
• Impact on productivity and satisfaction: 75% of respondents noted a productivity boost from ChatGPT, with an overwhelming 91% expressing satisfaction with their experiences using the tool.
• Ethical concerns: While adoption rates are high, ethical considerations around AI remain prominent. Cheating, data privacy, bias, and transparency were highlighted as key areas of concern, with nearly half of respondents expressing strong concerns about ChatGPT’s potential to encourage academic dishonesty.
• Student use of AI: 67% of respondents allow student use of ChatGPT, though institutions are divided on whether students should disclose AI usage in assignments. Notably, 53% of business school leaders believe ChatGPT improves the quality of students' work, underscoring the tool’s potential as a learning aid.
• Future integration and policy gaps: While many leaders predict AI will play an integral role in business education, only 24% of schools currently have a formal policy governing AI usage. This suggests an opportunity for schools to develop comprehensive guidelines and training programmes to ensure responsible and ethical AI integration.

Looking ahead: the role of AI in shaping future business leaders

The survey also highlights the emerging role of AI in curriculum design, with 60% of respondents anticipating significant AI-driven transformations in course content and student assessment over the next five years. However, only 35% of leaders feel their institutions are adequately preparing students for an AI-centric job market, signalling the need for updated curricula and AI training.

Ellen Buchan, Insight, Content and PR Manager at AMBA & BGA, commented, “The survey indicates a high level of adoption of ChatGPT among senior business school leaders both in their personal and professional lives. While there are general fears about the future of AI, this wasn’t necessarily the case with business school leaders. They reported a positive sentiment towards AI tools, with 85 per cent of respondents feeling either “excited “or “good” about further developments, showing that there is a broad acceptance and optimism about the potential of AI.

“With 75 per cent of respondents predicting a “high “or “very high” impact of AI on business education in the next five years, it is evident that the technology will play a pivotal role in shaping the future of business schools. There is a clear opportunity for schools to take a more strategic leadership approach and develop appropriate policies in relation to the use of AI within the management education sector.”

For more information, interview opportunities and images contact Ellen Buchan, Insight, Content & PR Manager: e.buchan@amba-bga.com