The world of business has undergone major disruptions in recent years, largely driven by advances in emerging technologies such as artificial intelligence (AI) and machine learning. As a result, the skills employers look for in graduates have continued to evolve.

According to the annually published Corporate Recruiters Survey by GMAC, the percentage of employers seeking AI skills in new hires rose by 5% in 2025, with this figure expected to increase further in 2026. To meet this growing demand, business education is being forced to rethink not only how it teaches, but what it teaches.

For SP Jain School of Global Management, founded in 2004 with the mission to equip students with the acumen needed “to solve problems in an ever-evolving world continually disrupted by technology”, this forward-looking approach has been embedded into the school’s foundations from the very beginning. The b-school also operates a multi-national educational approach, allowing students to build global knowledge and perspectives as they study at campuses in Dubai, Singapore, Sydney, and London.

We spoke with SP Jain Global founder and president, Nitish Jain, to understand how the school is using AI to improve student experience and equip students with the future-ready skills needed to thrive in a technology-driven globalized business landscape.

How AI is reshaping the classroom experience

When it comes to AI, the possibilities are vast, with the technology supporting problem-solving and decision-making across almost every industry. For example, AI is being used to improve healthcare through disease diagnosis and to advance scientific research by analysing complex datasets to identify patterns.

Recognising both the permanence and power of AI, SP Jain Global is using the technology to accelerate learning and enhance the student experience. In April 2025, the school announced the launch of its Artificial Intelligence-Enabled Learning Tutor (AI-ELT), which provides students with personalised academic support.

Before classes even begin, students are taught the core theory through AI-ELT, ensuring that classroom time is fully application-based. In turn, this allows students to effectively bridge theoretical knowledge with practical learning.

“What would normally be covered in the classroom is now done pre-class in a very engaged manner,” says Nitish.

“Now the classroom is 100% application-focused — role-playing, simulations, and practical conversations,” he adds.

With students entering class already familiar with the day’s discussion points, the introduction of AI-ELT has led to increased engagement and participation: “We see almost every student participating in class now,” says Nitish.

The transformative impact of AI-enhanced active learning, as described by Nitish, is supported by the Digital Education Council’s Global AI Student Survey, which found that 54% of students are more engaged in courses when AI tools are incorporated into the learning experience.

By addressing confidence gaps and allowing students to learn theory privately, AI-ELT also ensures students arrive in the classroom with a shared baseline level of understanding. This helps create a more inclusive learning environment, empowering all students to perform at their best.

“All students come to class at a higher level than was previously possible,” he says.

Using AI to personalise learning and improve teaching 

Many students invest in a business programme in the hope of receiving a personalised learning experience that supports both professional and personal growth.

While AI can often feel impersonal, AI-ELT delivers learning in a way that is tailored to each individual student and their pace, ensuring they get the most out of their business school journey.

“It’s going at your pace, your style, so it is very effective. It is like a human professor,” says Nitish.

Beyond the classroom, SP Jain Global also uses AI in other areas to ensure students receive a strong return on investment. For example, an AI system provides students with in-depth feedback on their exams, allowing them to clearly identify and target areas for improvement.

“It is very effective and compelling for students, and they love it because they get detailed feedback,” he explains.

With increasingly personalised feedback and guidance available, exams become not just a tool for evaluation, but also a powerful learning opportunity, as Nitish notes: “An exam is not only to assess students, it is to teach students as well.”

Faculty also play a crucial role in the business school experience, which is why SP Jain Global uses AI to continually refine teaching effectiveness. All faculty lectures are recorded and analysed through AI to help improve teaching quality over time.

The system provides professors with direct feedback on how they can become more effective educators. This insight is then applied the next time they teach the course, encouraging a cycle of continuous improvement.

“The next time the professor teaches the same course, they are a totally different type of professor because they now understand exactly how they can be more effective,” says Nitish.

Preparing students for a global, AI-driven workforce

AI is also dramatically reshaping the structure of the workforce. With many entry-level roles increasingly being automated, it is vital that business schools equip students with advanced skills that allow them to graduate ready to step into more senior positions.

“The base entry-level jobs are being taken over by AI. Therefore, we need to develop students to a higher level so they can enter middle-management roles straight away when they graduate,” says Nitish.

By using AI-ELT to unlock deeper and more advanced learning, SP Jain Global aims to equip students with the breadth of knowledge and experience required to take on these positions. In addition, it gives students vital experience working alongside AI that they can carry directly into their future careers.

Another way SP Jain Global empowers students to move beyond entry-level roles is through its strong global focus. As advancements in technology and transportation continue to connect markets worldwide, business has become increasingly international in nature.

At SP Jain Global, both the Global MBA (GMBA) and the Master’s in Global Business (MGB) are designed to prepare students for this reality. Each programme follows a multi-city structure, with students spending four months at the Singapore campus, eight months in Dubai, and an optional term in London. Graduates also receive an Australian-accredited degree.

Studying across multiple locations exposes students to Eastern, Western, and Middle Eastern business environments, shaping them into well-rounded global professionals.

“Our students understand how business is done in different parts of the world because they actually go there,” says Nitish.

“The learning keeps going as students move from city to city,” he adds.

These cross-cultural experiences also foster adaptability and maturity, two essential qualities in today’s ever-changing business world. Through internships, real-world consulting projects, and guest speakers across multiple countries, students gain hands-on exposure to the realities of the modern workplace and an understanding of different cultural nuances in business.

“Today’s workforce is far more multicultural than it used to be. Our students are prepared for that kind of world,” says Nitish.

As a result, graduates are well-positioned to work for leading global employers. For instance, SP Jain Global students regularly secure international placements, including roles with top recruiters such as KPMG, Emirates, and Kantar.