DIGITAL LEARNING
A
waiting
game Business schools are embracing digital innovation and seeing
exciting results, but they have yet to achieve the mind shift necessary to oer 100 per cent student- driven education, as Edhec Business School’s Benoit Arnaud explains
T
questions we cannot answer today because we lack the data and experience necessary to understand them and brainstorm solutions. “Lots of schools are using chatbots on their websites to help with recruitment, but this is not revolutionary,” says Imperial College Business School professor of practice David Lefevre, who co-created Insendi, one of the first hi-touch digital learning platforms for MBAs in Europe. “As long as we are using AI to do what we already do, we’re stuck on a plateau. The challenge is to use AI to replace what we are doing, or do it in a dierent way. And, so far, I’ve seen little that represents true innovation.” Business schools that have invested in a chatbot shouldn’t let that last comment sting their pride: taking chances on new technology is a necessary step in the evolution of business education. And while it’s true that there is a way to go in mastering
he pressure on business schools to fully embrace the digital age is intense, with many schools rushing to acquire expertise in artificial intelligence, virtual reality, content management systems and the metaverse. We read almost daily about schools that are launching online certificates and degrees, including 100 per cent digital MBAs, and we have the impression that the digital revolution is already here. However, it’s important to bear in mind that we are still in the early days of the transformation of our industry; there are considerable challenges that lie ahead, including weighty questions around the best use of technology and analytics for student success, content development and programme management. There’s also consternation over the role of AI in business school strategic initiatives, including degree development and student recruitment. There are
Ambition APRIL 2023 | 19
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