AI, Lifelong Learning, and Human-Centred Skills dominate agendas for business school leaders
26 January 2025
Elena Liquete provides an overview of the hot topics from this year’s GMAC Leadership conference.
Against the backdrop of Arizona’s expansive landscape, senior leaders from USA and international business schools converged at the 2025 GMAC Leadership Conference, exploring critical challenges and innovative approaches shaping the future of management education. This year’s conference offered an engaging blend of thought leadership, panel discussions, and networking opportunities, reflecting the shifting priorities and challenges in business education. CarringtonCrisp was proud to sponsor this year’s event, furthering our commitment to advancing innovation and shaping the future of business education.
Michelle Weise, an expert in the future of work and lifelong learning and author of ‘Long Life Learning,’ provided the keynote address. Weise delivered a compelling talk about navigating the age of AI, emphasising that as automation reshapes industries, it is uniquely human capabilities—empathy, creativity, and complex problem-solving—that will set us apart. She underscored the importance of cultivating deep, meaningful connections in an increasingly digital world.
Business schools play a key role in fostering these human-centred skills. Across MBA programmes worldwide, leadership development and soft skills training are now viewed as important as technical business knowledge. This dual emphasis ensures graduates are equipped not only for today’s demands but also for the challenges and opportunities that lie ahead.
Andrew Crisp shared insights from The Future of Lifelong and Executive Education report. He also moderated a panel discussion featuring Leila Guerra from Imperial College Business School, Suzanne Dove from Bentley University, and Michael Maier from the University of Alberta. The panel explored how their institutions are embracing lifelong learning, offering innovative approaches and addressing the hurdles they face in an ever-evolving educational landscape.
The conference tackled a wide array of topics relevant to MBA leaders, including Equity, Diversity, and Inclusion (EDI), portfolio management, and career services, among others. Unsurprisingly, AI was a recurring theme throughout the programme. Yet, in informal conversations between sessions, many attendees admitted that while their institutions are beginning to integrate AI into their curricula, few have developed operational strategies to fully leverage its potential.
To address this gap, the closing workshop focused on developing actionable AI strategies and implementation plans, providing participants with practical tools to navigate this transformative technology.
The 2025 GMAC Leadership Conference left attendees with much to ponder—from the future of work to the vital importance of human-centred skills in an AI-driven world. As business schools continue to evolve, they have a unique opportunity to shape the next generation of leaders—not only to meet the demands of today but to thrive in the possibilities of tomorrow.