Indian B-Schools Embrace AI, Yet Faculty Confidence Lags

A recent survey reveals a growing adoption of generative artificial intelligence (AI) in Indian business schools, yet faculty confidence in its positive impact remains low. Conducted by MBAUniverse.com, the survey involved 235 faculty members from prestigious institutions such as IIMs, IITs, ISB, XLRI, SPJIMR, MDI, and NMIMS. The findings indicate that only 51 percent of respondents believe AI will positively affect student learning, while a mere 7 percent consider themselves expert users of these technologies.

As generative AI begins to influence teaching, research, and curriculum design, over half of the faculty members anticipate an increased role for AI within the next year. The survey highlights that 55 percent of faculty members identify as intermediate users, suggesting significant opportunities for structured capacity-building initiatives.

The report emphasizes that faculty predominantly utilize AI in research and teaching, with applications in curriculum development steadily growing. However, it points out that the areas of administrative tasks and student assessment are still in their early stages, indicating a potential for further support and training.

“Faculty are using AI most in research and teaching, while applications in curriculum development are growing steadily,” the survey report stated. It also assessed faculty perceptions of AI’s impact on student learning, skill development, and classroom engagement. The report identifies essential tools and training needed for responsible AI adoption.

Vineet Joshi, Secretary of the Department of Higher Education, stated, “AI is transforming education and must be harnessed responsibly to strengthen both teaching and learning.” He highlighted that AI enables every student to ask questions and helps to break down barriers related to language, background, or geography.

Among the various AI tools, ChatGPT was deemed the most relevant for teaching-related activities, followed by Microsoft Copilot and Perplexity. In contrast, tools like Google Gemini and Claude received moderate ratings, while Meta AI was rated least relevant.

Despite the overall positive perception of AI’s benefits, 21 percent of faculty members indicated that it is too early to evaluate its impact, and 18 percent reported an unfavorable effect on student learning. Almost 10 percent noted no significant impact at all. The main challenges identified in AI’s application for research included ethical concerns, reliability issues, and the absence of regulatory policy.

Amit Agnihotri, Founder and Chair of the Indian Management Conclave, remarked, “We are living in an era where AI is widely recognised as having the potential to fundamentally transform business processes, redefine jobs and competencies, and reshape the landscape of higher education. Management education stands at the frontier of this transition.”

The survey was released during the 15th edition of the Indian Management Conclave, underscoring the need for ongoing dialogue about integrating AI into management education responsibly. As Indian business schools adapt to these technological advancements, the effectiveness of AI in enhancing student learning remains a topic of both interest and concern.