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THE VALUE OF IN-PERSON INDUSTRY INSIGHTS CEO Andrew Main Wilson reflects on some key takeaways from Shanghai Jiao Tong University’s International Business School Conference in China, in addition to AMBA & BGA’s recent Latin America Conference in Brazil
I recently attended Shanghai Jiao Tong University’s International Business School Conference, which this year focused on artificial intelligence (AI) and the future of business. We know that the Chinese economy has slowed down this year, but it really struck me how modern and dynamic both Shanghai and Wuhan – which I visited after the conference – come appropriate conference theme and several sessions demonstrated how schools are taking a predominantly positive approach to researching and teaching leading-edge AI best practices. important technological skills, thereby maximising their future employability. The potential impact of AI on careers was also a key topic of discussion at AMBA & BGA’s recent Latin America Deans & Directors Conference, held in Rio de Janeiro. One insightful session categorised key careers in terms of how they might be impacted by AI. In so doing, it pressed home the importance of business school careers services staff across compared with some of the older business and transport infrastructure in Europe. AI, therefore, seemed a very In this way, they seek to ensure graduates are trained in the most
teamwork, sales, problem solving and research. Four of these are classic soft skills and – encouragingly – six are functional/technical skills that most AMBA & BGA business schools already deliver in their curricula. At the centre of the discussion around internationalisation, meanwhile, was the idea that the old model of lengthy student exchanges may now be superseded by shorter arrangements and ‘diffused reciprocity’. This means that schools don’t have to reciprocate on a like-for-like basis but could, for example, offer faculty exchange in return for a student exchange or an emphasised the value of face‑to-face networking, compared with virtual meetings and conferences and I’m very much looking forward to welcoming delegates to this month’s Deans & Directors Asia Pacific Conference in Kuala Lumpur. I am particularly excited by the large number of Indian and Malaysian business schools that will be in attendance. This reflects not only the growth of AMBA & BGA in Asia, but also the increasing interest from schools in both countries to build international relationships with other AMBA & BGA business schools. international research project. Both conferences once again
passing on these insights to students, especially undergraduates, so they can bear them in mind when deciding on their future career paths. Two further issues facing our industry stood out at our conference in Brazil: the top skills demanded by employers and internationalisation – both building global relationships and protecting local business schools from international competition. In one thought-provoking presentation, LinkedIn shared its top 10 most in‑demand skills in 2024. These were: communication, customer service, leadership, project management, people management, analytics, “Topics ranged from the potential impact of AI on careers to employers’ most in‑demand skills and new ideas about student exchanges”
38 Business Impact • ISSUE 4 • 2024
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