AI as a mirror for reflection among business leaders

Many of us in business schools are excitedly unwrapping the latest AI tools this holiday season. Yet as we explore these new capabilities, we're discovering something unexpected: this gift is actually unwrapping us. Unlike the educational technologies we've embraced before, AI isn't just another tool we'll use – it's becoming a mirror that invites us to reflect deeply on how we learn and grow as managers.

When our students use ChatGPT, our first conversations often center on guidelines and policies. But in our quieter moments, we might wonder: What if AI is inviting us to explore new possibilities in management learning? When we see how easily AI can analyze cases or generate reports, perhaps we're being nudged to imagine fresh approaches to developing business wisdom. What new doors might this open in how we learn together?

As we experiment with AI in our classrooms, we're noticing how it illuminates different aspects of management education. Sometimes it challenges our assumptions, other times it confirms our intuitions about the importance of human connection and wisdom in leadership. In our recent classroom discussions, many of us have found ourselves naturally spending more time on meaning-making and wisdom-sharing, letting AI handle the more routine aspects of learning.

There's something exciting emerging in this exploration. As AI becomes more capable at analyzing data and generating strategies, we're free to focus on what makes management truly impactful – our uniquely human capabilities. Think about those moments when we've experienced exceptional leadership, either as managers or being managed. Wasn't it about more than just technical expertise? Weren't those moments rich with wisdom, contextual understanding, and genuine human connection?

We're beginning to see how AI might help us emphasize these deeper aspects of management development. Instead of seeing it as a replacement for traditional learning, we might view it as an invitation to explore the more nuanced dimensions of leadership. How might we use this opportunity to deepen our understanding of ethical decision-making? What new ways might we discover to develop business wisdom?

The beauty of this moment is that we're all learning together. None of us has all the answers about how AI will shape management education, but we're all participating in this fascinating evolution. Some of us are experimenting with using AI to enhance reflection practices. Others are discovering how it can create space for more meaningful discussions about leadership challenges.

As we look to the future, the possibilities are intriguing. We might find ways to blend AI's analytical capabilities with deeper human development. Imagine learning environments where AI handles routine analyses, freeing us to focus on developing wisdom, judgment, and emotional intelligence. What if AI becomes not just a tool for learning management, but a catalyst for developing more conscious, thoughtful leaders?

The gift of AI in management education isn't just about new capabilities – it's about new possibilities for how we grow and develop as business leaders. As we continue unwrapping this gift together, perhaps we'll discover that its greatest value lies not in what it can do, but in how it invites us to reimagine what management learning could be.