AI Biggest Skills Gap For Business School Deans - AACSB Survey

KUALA LUMPUR, Oct 20 (Bernama) -- Artificial intelligence (AI) is the area where business school deans see the largest gap between priority and their own proficiency, according to a global survey released by business school accreditation body AACSB International (AACSB).

The 2026–27 Deans Survey: Findings in Focus, conducted every three years, drew responses from 558 leaders across 75 countries and territories, including 522 deans or equivalent heads of schools and 36 interim deans.

AI in education and research ranked second in priority among 49 typical activities of a dean, and the survey found it to be the clearest professional development challenge regardless of deans’ experience or region.

Time is a major barrier, with 84 per cent of deans reporting limited, very limited or no time for professional development.

“Today’s deans are more prepared to lead through change than ever before. The question now is whether they have the time, resources, and peer connections to turn ambition into action,” said AACSB president and chief executive officer, Lily Bi in a statement.

Finances were the challenge deans cited most often in open-ended responses, with 34 per cent mentioning budgets, finances or resources among their top concerns, followed by enrolment and student recruitment.

The survey also found that deanships are getting shorter. The average tenure of predecessor deans fell to 5.7 years from 6.8 years in 2020–21, while current deans have held their posts for an average of 3.9 years.

While 87 per cent of deans said they felt fulfilled by their work, only half reported having their desired work-life balance.

The report also examines how the profile of deans is becoming more diverse and international, and how development priorities and school readiness differ by region and experience. It was supported by Risepoint.

-- BERNAMA