Sources:
https://www.cxotalk.com/episode/accenture-and-generative-ai-advice-for-business-leaders
Our Analysis
This piece from Accenture outlines five categories of GenAI use cases—Advising, Creating, Coding, Automating, and Protecting—each of which has broad implications for business education, particularly in management information systems (MIS) and data analytics. Let’s break it down and analyze how this can impact your business school at Gannon University:
Implications: In education, this "advising" role aligns with the growing trend of AI-assisted decision-making. For MIS and data analytics, teaching students to leverage AI co-pilots for productivity and customer intelligence is essential. Future managers and analysts will increasingly rely on AI for customer support, HR, and strategic decision-making tasks.
Gannon Opportunity: Develop courses or modules around AI-assisted advisory systems. Focus on case studies where AI is used in strategic decision-making, such as customer service chatbots and competitive intelligence analysis. Students need exposure to hyper-personalized intelligence tools.
Implications: Creative fields like design and marketing are evolving through the use of AI tools (e.g., DALL·E, Midjourney) that assist in generating social media content, branding, and personalization. This aspect shifts the way businesses think about creativity, focusing more on the partnership between human creativity and AI’s efficiency in executing tasks.
Gannon Opportunity: Introduce hands-on assignments where students utilize generative AI tools for content creation, visual design, and marketing. Collaborate with the business school’s marketing or design departments to cross-train students in these AI-assisted creative skills, an increasingly valuable asset in digital business strategies.
Implications: AI tools that automate code writing, documentation, and system management are accelerating the software development process. In MIS and data analytics, this means that future professionals need to be proficient in integrating AI into the software development lifecycle. They should understand how AI augments technical roles by automating routine coding and documentation tasks.
Gannon Opportunity: Enhance the curriculum by incorporating AI-assisted coding tools into your database and programming courses. Students should practice using AI tools to boost coding productivity, manage large projects, and troubleshoot software more efficiently. Partnering with tech companies for pilot programs or certifications could give students a competitive edge.
Implications: The automation of both front- and back-office processes through generative AI will transform business operations, making it critical for future managers to understand how AI improves efficiency and personalization. MIS students should be trained in identifying automation opportunities and managing AI-driven business processes.
Gannon Opportunity: Consider offering workshops or labs focused on AI-driven business process automation. Real-world case studies of AI automating financial services or customer operations will help students grasp the strategic role automation will play in future business leadership.
Implications: As AI becomes central to business operations, it also becomes a critical component in security, governance, and risk management. Businesses will need professionals who understand both the protective and malicious capabilities of AI, especially in areas like cybersecurity, fraud prevention, and regulatory compliance.
Gannon Opportunity: Offer specialized training or certifications in AI-driven cybersecurity and governance. MIS and data analytics students could benefit from understanding AI's role in securing digital infrastructure and preventing misuse. You might consider partnerships with cybersecurity firms or developing in-house simulations for students to practice identifying risks using AI tools.
Curriculum Enhancement: Introduce or expand modules that focus on AI’s role in business functions. Emphasize hands-on experience with AI co-pilots, coding tools, and automation systems.
Interdisciplinary Collaboration: Cross-train students in marketing, design, and cybersecurity to provide a holistic understanding of how AI integrates into various business processes.
Industry Partnerships: Establish collaborations with AI software providers (e.g., OpenAI, Midjourney) to give students access to the latest tools and technologies, preparing them for real-world applications.
By incorporating these GenAI use cases into your courses, Gannon can position itself as a leader in preparing students for a rapidly evolving digital landscape, especially in management information systems and data analytics.